Published: June 14, 2009
In photos and video: Swarms of bees land on Berrow beach

Several large swarms of bees descended on parts of Berrow beach on Saturday (June 13th), sending holidaymakers scurrying for cover.

Beach wardens called on the help of a bee keeper from Burnham-On-Sea, pictured above, to remove the insects, which buzzed around cars and landed on parasols.

Beach visitor Steve Gard, who was sat underneath one parasol when the insects swept in, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "They came in from nowhere without warning, covering our parasol and buzzing closely around us. It was a frightening moment."

"We ran for the cover of our car and drove down the beach, away from the dunes. Fortunately, no-one was stung."

And beach visitor Debbie Kite told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We were sat in the sand dunes nearby and heard an increasing buzzing sound. When we looked up, the air was thick with a black cloud of bees - it was an incredible sight. We dived into the car as quickly as possibly."

Bee keeper Michael Duckett, who was called in to help remove them, said: "Swarming of honey bees is actually not unusual at this time of the year - but people do understandably get startled when they accumulate in large numbers like this and want them removed."

The bees were safely taken away by Mr Duckett.

Bee keeper Michael Duckett removed the bees from this parasol

A second swarm of the insects was also investigated in the sand dunes nearby

Beach visitor Debbie Kite and her family saw the swarms of bees arrive