A new set of six stamps is being released celebrating insects which pollinate plants in the UK.

Royal Mail said the collection explores bees and butterflies and other “often overlooked” important pollinators such as moths, beetles, hoverflies and wasps.

The six stamps, illustrated by wildlife artist Richard Lewington, feature the common carder bee, painted lady butterfly, longhorn beetle, elephant hawk-moth, marmalade hoverfly and ruby-tailed wasp.

Royal Mail worked with ecologist and entomologist Professor Helen Roy, from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, on the stamp set, entitled Brilliant Bugs.

Mr Lewington said: “At a time when the plight of insects as pollinators has much been in the news, I was delighted to be commissioned by Royal Mail to highlight the importance and incredible diversity of Brilliant Bugs.

Philip Parker, of Royal Mail, said: “Our exquisite new stamps depict colourful insects feeding on some of the flowers they frequent.

“We mark the vital role they play in pollinating wild flowers and crops, from bees and butterflies to the often-underappreciated work of hoverflies, moths, wasps and beetles.”