About 30,000 honey bees in a nest under Pat Lassnig’s bay window are now safely in a beekeeper’s hive – and she is thrilled they are still alive.

In fact she is so pleased that she is shortly going to see them in their new home.

Mrs Lassnig called in expert John Goffin from the Medway Beekeepers Association who carefully opened up the wooden side panel of her bay window where the nest was attached to the wall inside.

She said: “I first realised there was a nest there when I saw a swarm about the size of a football which then made its way under a tiny hole at the back of the panel. I grew quite attached to them so am thrilled they have been safely taken away and I can’t wait to see them again."

The bees have been taken to Mr Goffin's hives in Gillingham.

For full story see next week's Times Guardian