Rare orchid found at water sites

The flower mimics the appearance of a bee (photo by Iain Stowe)

Rare wild bee orchids have been discovered thriving at South West Water sites in Kent and East Sussex.

The plants, which are found during June and July, are growing at the firm's treatment works near Maidstone as well as reservoir sites in East Sussex.

It has a distinctive flower that mimics the appearance of a bee to encourage the insect to pollinate it.

South East Water said maintenance teams worked hard to encourage orchids and chalk grassland flowers at its sites.

Richard Dyer, South East Water's senior environmental Officer, said: "We were delighted to find several bee orchids not just at one site, but across our region demonstrating that the hard work of our grounds maintenance team is paying off.

"It was particularly exciting to rediscover the orchid at our water treatment works near Maidstone, as it has been a number of years since the orchid was last seen here."