WANSTEAD bee keepers have joined experts in calling for more residents to help save our stripy friends.

Helen Chadwick, who tends to hives near Wanstead High Street and is chair of the Epping Forest Beekeepers' Association, has backed a plea from the British Beekeepers' Association and conservation agency Natural England to get more Londoners running hives.

The bee population has plummeted in recent years because of problems, including disease and lack of habitat.

But Mrs Chadwick says that colonies can do just as well in London, with its variety of plant-life, gardens and parks as they can in the country.

She added: “More and more people are becoming interested in bee keeping now and I want to encourage people not to be frightened of them.

“Some people are running their own hives, and others just offer up part of their garden to other beekeepers which is also very useful.

“If people are going to keep bees however they should learn about them first.

“We have to help people get over the fear of bees but we also have a responsibilities to have sure we have good tempered bees and that they don't swarm.

“A lot of the trouble at the moment is in the country where pesticides are used but urban bees seem to be doing quite well because everyone has flowers in their gardens and thing like runner beans on their allotments.”

The pollination of fruit and vegetables alone contributes around £200million to the economy every year, and 90 per cent of Britain’s apple production is dependent on honeybees.

For more information visit: eppingforestbeekeepers.co.uk or call Helen on 8523 5770.