Pedestrians in Folkestone Road, Dover, had to take a slight diversion on Monday when a swarm of bees took up residence in a hedge alongside a pavement.

People were giving the bees a wide berth as they were there for most of the day until a bee-keeper from Canterbury arrived and removed them.

A spokesman for the district council said that a swarm, if left to itself, will fly off to a new home, usually within 24 hours.

“However, such a new colony is unlikely to survive in the wild without a beekeeper’s help. If swarms of bees are reported we would advise people to contact a local beekeeper who may come and collect them.”

Details of beekeepers, and guidance on swarms, can be found on the British Bee Keepers Association website at http://www.bbka.org.uk/help/do_you_have_a_swarm.php