Volunteers are sought to build beehives and bug hotels to encourage the little pollinators.

Organiclea, a community food project based in the Lea Valley, has secured £79,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Bee Wild project.

It will see 100 volunteers put to work across Waltham Forest, Enfield, Haringey and Hackney.

In Chingford, Hawkwood Nursery will be given a bee friendly makeover.

The project will build beehives and bug hotels, improve flower meadow and deadwood habitats and create two ponds.

It will also establish a green corridor linking the site with Epping Forest and create a ‘pollinator trail’ to enable people to see and learn about pollinating species.

Clare Joy from OrganicLea said: “We are delighted to be starting this important project to protect pollinator habitats, and grateful to the National Lottery players who have made it possible.

"OrganicLea takes its name from the Lea Valley which has a rich food growing heritage.

"Now we’ve got the opportunity to help preserve the important biodiversity of the local area as well.

"We look forward to working with volunteers and residents in north-east London to make sure that bees and other pollinators are protected.”

Volunteers will play a major role in making the project a success. They will take part in everything from beekeeping and surveying pollinators to meadow maintenance and tree care.

Open days, workshops and guided tours will take place at Hawkwood and a Bee Wild community engagement stall will visit Walthamstow and Leytonstone throughout the project.

An open day on July 29 from 12pm to 4pm will provide more information.