Toddlers welcomed a special guest at their nursery as part of National Insect Week.

The pre-schoolers at Boys and Girls Nursery, in Croxley Green, were taught the importance of pollination when bee expert, Debbie Rosario, visited on June 22.

As part of National Insect Week, the children pretended to be beekeepers by trying on suits and playing with specialist equipment and honey combs.

Natasha Kirby, director at Boys and Girls Nursery said: “All the children had an amazing time.

“Bees are vital for the continuation of our planet and are sadly on the decline - we were extremely happy when Debbie agreed to run a special session with the pre-schoolers and what better place than Croxley Green, which was the start of the local beekeeping community all those years ago.”

As part of National Insect Week the children spent time in the garden looking for insects with magnifying glasses and painting pictures of what they found.

But the visit from Mrs Rosario proved to be the most popular event.

Mrs Rosario said: “We were delighted to be asked to give a talk during National Insect Week.

“Nature is often a source of fascination and fun for children. Helping children understand how honey bees live and why they are so important to us and the planet builds on that fascination.

“The children were really inquisitive, had some great questions and clearly enjoyed dressing up and pretending to be beekeepers.”

Mrs Rosario, is part of West Herts Beekeepers’ Association.

The Association was founded during the Second World War in the grounds of the Grade II Listed Croxley House and is affiliated to the British Beekeepers’ Association.