GRAVEYARDS ACROSS Perth and Kinross are to go green.

Launched by the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, the green graveyard initiative aims to encourage more wildlife to the area’s cemeteries.

“Perth and Kinross Council has been leading the way in piloting small-scale projects for the past five years,” said Catherine Lloyd of the partnership.

“The term ‘green graveyards’ does not necessarily mean churchyard grass has to be left unmown.

“In a very few places wildflower areas can look wonderful but in the vast majority of our local churchyards the focus just needs to be on how to help the wildlife already there.”

Moves include putting up bat and bird boxes, planting nectar-rich plants such as lavenders and heathers to encourage butterflies and bumble bees, and adding berried trees such as yews, crab apple, holly and rowan to help feed the birds.

“As well as looking neat and tidy, close-mown grass is also vital for the pretty, but rare waxcap fungi,” Ms Lloyd added.

Anyone interested in helping “green” a churchyard can call 01382 433042.