A free talk about beekeeping takes place at Whitehall Garden Centre, in Whitchurch, on July 29.

Fred Swift from the Bee Farmers' Association will be at the garden centre in Norton Lane at 2.30pm to talk to visitors about the lifecycle of the bee, plants that attract the insect and products made from beeswax and honey.

David Manning, garden centre manager said: "Bees are very important to gardeners as they help to pollinate plants, thus encouraging a healthy garden. We are keen to support the beekeeping industry.

"We want to play our part in informing people about bees and the fact that the honeybee, in particular, is threatened worldwide because of virulent viruses.

"Nearly all the colonies in the wild have died out."

During the talk, visitors will also be able to learn more about how bees make honey and the benefits bees have on the garden, the environment and the economy. It is estimated bees contribute £165 million to UK agriculture annually through crop pollination.

For more information, call the garden centre on 01275 832 296.