SUMMER is here and it is quite simply buzzing.

It appears after a worrying year of dwindling numbers, Dorset’s honey bee population is on the up.

Beekeepers have received countless reports of swarms in recent weeks following a good spring and the arrival of warmer weather.

They have arrived in village halls, in people’s attics, lofts and chimneys – a swarm was even captured on camera on Friday after landing on a BMW Mini in the middle of Wimborne high street.

Lesley Gasson, who keeps bees at her North Dorset home in Shillingstone, said she has been inundated with reports of swarms of bees in the county.

“It has been non-stop. Everywhere we go we have had swarm reports.

“The problem at the moment is that usually at this time of the year we are getting lots of people who want swarms. This year there have been so many that we can’t find people who want them.

“Last year was a horrible year, cold and wet. “Some people managed to keep hold of one or two hives, many lost all their hives. But this year we have had a fantastic spring.”

The latest report of bees has come from Viv Travers in Verwood who couldn’t believe her eyes this weekend when a giant swarm of bees blackened the skies above her home.

The amazing sight happened at 6pm on Sunday and made Viv and her husband John run inside for cover.

Viv said: “We were sitting in the garden enjoying the nice weather when I heard the most almighty noise.

“We turned round and the sky was black with this massive swarm of bees – god knows how many there were. There must have been thousands upon thousands.

“It was quite a sight. We had all the patio doors open and I was terrified they were going to come inside.”

The swarm was bungalow-roof height and also captured the attention of their neighbour.

Viv, of Margards Lane, said: “They literally turned the sky black – it was like something out of a horror movie. I didn’t have time to take a picture because I was too busy running indoors.”

She added said: “The bees left as quickly as they arrived and I would really like to know where they came from and where they were going.”

Lesley said the bees were probably looking for a good place to go and were off to see somewhere which had been suggested by the scouts.

“This lady probably saw them go as a loose swirling mass of bees catching the scent and that would have looked more frightening.”