Newent Beekeepers have been extra busy because of the mild winter and welcome the recent cold snap as a chance for their hives to settle down.

Society spokesman Christine Birkan said the mild weather meant that bees were leaving the hive and searching in vain for nectar and pollen.

When they returned to the hives hungry, they used up valuable winter food stores.

Because of the danger that stores could run out, the beekeepers have been making more visits than usual to the hives this year and have been feeding their bees on a special fondant, similar to icing, to make sure they do not starve.

Mrs Birkan said: "It's been a tricky winter. When the bees fly about looking for flowers, they can use up a lot of energy and there's always the danger they will run out of food."

When the winter is colder, bees become semi-comatose and huddle together and less of the food stores in the hive are consumed,

Mrs Birkan said: "I always welcome colder weather in winter. They recent cold snap is good. It's better at this time of year if the bees don't wake up too often in the day."

The next meeting of Newent Beekeepers will take place on at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 3, at Newent Library.