Kids create a buzz at train station

Pint-sized bug lovers from Kiwi Pre-School Playgroup are buzzing after creating a bee hotel complex at East Kilbride railway station.

The youngsters won a biodiversity grant from Keep Scotland Beautiful and ScotRail to create a mini oasis for the creatures.

The project is designed to attract solitary bees to the posh pads which are hexagonal in shape and painted in bright warm colours to entice them to make the station their home.

Kids and carers joined nursery staff and put in bee-friendly climbers and plants to encourage the bees, which are different from bumble and honey bees, to move in.

They also put seasonal plants into the station’s train-shaped planters which sit in front of the hotels.

Playgroup chair Rebecca Hay said: “This was a brilliant project for the children. They have been learning all about what a great jobs bees do in the world and the hotels and planting brought this to life for them.

“Kiwi has a great relationship with ScotRail and Keep Scotland Beautiful and we are grateful for their financial help and hope station users will enjoy the special area over the summer.”