A SWARM of escaped honeybees that buzzed off from Pershore at the end of last month may have been spotted miles away in Herefordshire.

A farmer from near Hereford spotted a swarm about the size of a dustbin in a tree on his land earlier this week.

However, before he had a chance to investigate further, they had taken flight again.

The swarm of 30,000 Pershore bees made their escape at the end of last month from a resident who had been given them by a fellow enthusiast about a year ago after completing a 10-week course in beekeeping.

It was not known why the bees flew away, but an expert suspected a new queen was being produced, causing the existing one to leave.

The swarm of bees has yet to be traced but anyone with information about its whereabouts is asked to contact police on 08457 444 888, quoting 311S/210405.