Friends of the Bees was inspired by the Natural Beekeeping Network – a growing, worldwide movement of over 1,500 beekeepers in 160 countries who are developing more natural ways to look after their bees.

Nearly half the membership is in the UK. Friends of the Bees director Phil Chandler said: “The recent stories of honeybees being in decline have made many beekeepers look more critically at the way they treat their bees.

"We don’t want to have to medicate them or put synthetic chemicals into our hives – it goes against all our instincts and detracts from the public’s perception of honey as a natural, unadulterated product.”

MORE:www.friendsofthebees.org