BEE experts are bringing a buzz to the town centre as part of a fun weekend of environmental activities at Church Square Shopping Centre.

An observation hive with thousands of bees, where children and adults can see the insect community up close, will be on display in the busy shopping mall.

It is part of a two-day Green Room event, run with St Helens Council’s Healthy Living Team and Ormskirk Beekeepers, which takes place from 11am to 4pm on Friday, June 3, and the following day.

The aim is to fascinate youngsters and encourage families to enjoy the great outdoors.

Clara Planter and Digby Stomper will welcome youngsters into their Green Room in the centre’s St Mary’s Arcade to learn about health and nature through woodland walks and mindfulness.

They will encourage families to decorate a life-size tree with paper leaves, each bearing a picture or personal pledge to spend more time enjoying trees and nature.   There will also be information about the water cycle and healthy walks and activities in local parks, as well as arts and crafts.

Derrick Harris has been an active member of Ormskirk Beekeepers ever since he began keeping bees himself, about 10 years ago.

He said: “The observation hive will contain several thousand bees and is a great tool to allow people to get very close to them and see what is going on inside, but not be in any danger of getting stung.”

Derrick, who lives in Moss Bank, will be on hand on the Saturday to explain about the bees and answer any questions about the honey bees he will be bringing.

Meanwhile, the Shopper Whopper Kids Club is on Tuesday, May 31, from 11am to 3pm.