THE Forest of Dean District Council announced it was once again taking part in ‘No Mow May’.

On Wednesday, May 6, the council posted to its social media sites that it was backing the campaign, and will be leaving selected grass areas to grow.

The No Mow May campaign is run by charity Plantlife, which urges people across the country to leave their lawns untouched to help tackle the decline in biodiversity.

A Forest of Dean District Council spokesperson said: “By cutting less, we’re helping wildflowers like daisies and clover to bloom - providing vital food for bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators that are in decline. Even small patches left to grow longer can make a big difference.

“You can get involved too - simply leave your lawn, or part of it, to grow this May and see if you notice a difference.”

No Mow May is seen as the launchpad for long-term change, and the Forest of Dean District Council has backed the campaign for a number of years.

Last year, the council encouraged residents to keep up the approach through summer with “Let it Bloom June” and beyond.

This sentiment was echoed by one local who commented on the council’s social media post. They said: “This is great but what you should do, if you really want to support the wildlife, is leave some areas untouched all summer.”

According to the Plantlife website, the charity encourages everyone to cut less for longer. It says: “Results from our previous No Mow May surveys show that keeping two to three different lengths of grass throughout the summer will maximise the diversity and quantity of flowers and the nectar they produce.”

Residents can find out more information about the campaign by visiting the Plantlife website.

You can also get involved with the campaign by sharing photos of wild lawns using #NoMowMay on social media.