PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson joined campaigners to draw attention to the alarming decline in UK bee numbers.

Mr Stephenson met members of environment charity Friends of the Earth for an event at Parliament.

Last year, Friends of the Earth launched its Bee Cause campaign, which has been backed by more than 80,000 people and calls for the Government to urgently to introduce a National Bee Action Plan aimed at saving the nation’s bees.

Mr Stephenson said: “I am extremely concerned about the rapid decline in British bees.

“They’re not only an iconic part of our countryside, they also play a vital role in pollinating our crops and flowers.

“It’s great news that Friends of the Earth is creating a buzz about these crucially important insects – I’ll be doing all I can to help protect our bees in 2013.”

Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause campaign is asking Prime minister David Cameron to adopt a National Bee Action Plan.