Aspiring wildlife photographers will get the chance to flex their photographic skills with a competition to capture the best bee pictures.

Manx Wildlife trust is holding the competition dedicated to photographs of bees, in conjunction with Ramsey Garden Centre.

There are two categories to enter, one for under 16s and one for adults.

Dawn Dickens, from the Manx Wildlife Trust, says she would like all with an interest in wildlife spotting or photography, or preferably both to get involved, and that she thinks it is a good way of highlighting the way bee populations are being affected.

’This competition is to highlight the decline in bee populations,’ ’ said Dawn.

’This is due mainly to use of pesticides and the disappearance from our gardens and countryside of wild spaces with wild flowers.’

’And, with the hazy lazy days of summer who can resist sitting outside and listening to the buzzing of bees and being fascinated by their busy activity collecting nectar and pollen?

’So, we are inviting people to take a snapshot of a bee, a bumble bee or a honey bee, whether it is in your garden, or in a wild place.’

The competition is run all through the summer months, allowing you enough time to keep your eyes peeled for bee activity in your garden.

All entries must be printed out on a 10x8 photograph and taken to Ramsey Garden Centre on Saturday, September 30 at 12pm for judging.

More details can be found on the Manx Wildlife Trust website, or by picking up an entry form from Ramsey Garden Centre.

There is also information available on how to make your garden a more attractive and friendly to bees.