ALMOST £60,000 has been granted to help boost the numbers of a rare bumblebee on Canvey.

The Sita Trust has awarded the money to the Land Trust, which will lead a new project at Canvey Wick nature reserve to support the shrill carder bee population.

Work will involve clearing scrubland and trees at the 230-acre site, off Northwick Road, to improve habitats for the endangered species.

Euan Hall, chief executive officer at the Land Trust, said: “Thanks to Sita Trust, this is a fantastic opportunity to deliver work at such an important site.

“By jointly working with our partners RSPB and Buglife, we will be able to make a real difference to this rare species, ensuring it is protected for many years to come, as well as providing a great place for the local community to enjoy.”

The shrill carder bee was a common species in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. However, since 1970, the numbers have plummeted.

There are now only known to be six populations of the species in the country, with Canvey being one of them.

In 2010, the bees were highlighted in the Government’s UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a priority species, requiring urgent conservation action.

The nature reserve is also home to other usual insects, including the Canvey Island beetle, the Morley weevil, the five-banded weevil wasp and scarce emerald dragonfly.

The Sita Trust provides financial support for community and conservation projects across the county by obtaining funding through the Government’s Landfill Communities Fund.

Marek Gordon, chief excutive of the Sita Trust, added “We are delighted to have been able to support this project through the Landfill Communities Fund.

“This important source of funding has been available since 1997 and has provided such worthy projects with more than £1.2 billion.”