A FAMILY who kept bees on their Earby allotment were shocked and upset to learn the colony had been wiped out by fumes from petrol poured into the hive.

It is the second year running that the Sunley family's bees have been killed.

Last year they assumed the colony had simply failed to make it through the cold winter months, but after this year's deliberate vandalism they are being forced to think again.

Mother-of-two Elouise Sunley explained that the bees remained mostly inactive throughout the winter, but she had seen activity about a month ago following the snowfall.

"The bright light, reflected off the snow, can bring them out," she said.

However, by last weekend, with the onset of warmer weather, she was surprised to see no activity at the hive.

On investigating further, she found that all the bees inside - around 50,000 - were dead.

Suspecting foul play, she and husband Ian consulted a local beekeeping expert who said the colony had been poisoned, almost certainly by petrol fumes.

If petrol is poured into the bottom of the hive the fumes rise up as it slowly evaporates, killing the bees. To restock the hive would cost around £50 and the entire crop of honey, worth about £140, is also useless.

"We've all been very upset, especially the children," said Elouise. "I don't know why anyone would do this. If someone had a problem with us keeping bees on the site we would have gladly talked with them."

Elouise explained that both she and her son, eight-year-old Morgan, suffer from severe hay fever. However, eating locally produced honey has helped to ease their condition.

The bees from their own hive collect pollens within a five-mile radius and use them to make honey. Eating that honey helps Elouise and Morgan build up a resistance to those same pollens, easing the hay fever caused by high pollen counts in the summer.

"That was the main reason why we decided to keep bees in the first place and it has proved a very effective remedy," said Elouise.

"But looking after the bees has also helped the children with their education and given them something very enjoyable to do. They have their own protective clothing and really enjoy working with the hives and harvesting the honey and beeswax."

Before putting a hive on their School Lane allotment, the family spoke to local residents, other allotment holders and the parish council which manages the site.

There were no objections to their plans and in fact many of the allotment holders welcomed them, saying the bees would help to pollinate their crops.

Honey bees rarely swarm away from the hive and only sting if they are antagonised.

In their first year, Elouise, Ian and children Morgan and Megan set up the hive, establishing a colony and learning the ancient art of beekeeping. They were soon harvesting honey and beeswax, which they used themselves and supplied to friends and neighbours.

When the colony was wiped out in its second winter, the family assumed the cold weather was to blame.

Now they are questioning that assumption after their bees were killed with petrol fumes.

They had hoped to establish a second hive on the allotment as their colony grew, but now say there is no way they will keep bees where they are clearly at risk.

"I'm just hoping that there is someone within a five mile radius who will allow us to keep bees on their land," said Elouise.

"We are very willing to give 10lb of honey per year to someone for allowing us to put our hives on their land and visit them with the children."

Anyone who can help should contact Duncan Smith at the Craven Herald office on 01756 794117, and he will pass on details to the Sunley family.