THE summer of 2012 might have been a difficult one for gardeners – but it's been 'disastrous' for bees, according to the Okehampton Beekeepers' Association.

Malcolm Craig, secretary of the beekeepers association, who was doing a buzzing trade helping youngsters make candles from sheets of coloured beeswax, said: 'As a result of the bad year, entries to the show have been lower than usual, but having said that, what we have had has been of very high quality.

'The judges we have are external judges and they have commented how the standard has been excellent.'

Malcolm said there had been a steady stream of visitors to the beekeepers' marquee.

'Everyone who has come in has been extremely interested to learn about the life cycle of the bees, and what they do for us as a society, and how they are under threat.'