Churchgoers have welcomed in new species to their flock thanks to the strategic planting of trees.

To increase the range of habitats beyond the existing native hedges, last autumn parishioners planted six greengage, plum, apple and pear trees at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Stapleford Abbotts.

They applied to Grow Wild, and were successful in being sent a seed kit for wild flowers, selected by scientists at Kew Gardens.

These seeds have been sown in the churchyard. Areas of grass are left uncut to encourage native butterflies.

Since they came into bloom the churchyard is teeming with bugs, bats and birds, including goldcrests, kestrels, buzzards, red legged partridges and long eared brown bats.

Blue tits nest in bird boxes as insects shelter in a ‘bug hotel’.

Canon Roger Gayler, priest in charge of Stapleford Abbotts, said: “Many different species are enjoying the church’s environment.

"The churchyard is proving to be a microclimate of biodiversity.

“We all worry about what sort of world we will leave our children and grandchildren.

"Christians believe that God made creation in all its beauty, saw that it was good, and then entrusted it to the care of human beings. We are stewards of this precious gift. It is our responsibility to look after it.”

The parish is working in partnership with Essex Wildlife Trust and has applied for an Eco Church Award in recognition of its stewardship.

Revd Christine Newmarch, the environment champion of Chelmsford Diocese, added: “This churchyard is a living example of local work in progress towards what the Church of England calls the Fifth Mark of Mission: ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’.

“Good luck to St Mary the Virgin Church with their application for the Eco Church Award.

"We look forward to hearing more good news from the parish soon.”