Disastrous year for  Island's honey production

Bee expert says poor weather largely to blame

A leading bee expert on the Isle of Man says it's been the worst year for bees and honey production for half a century.

Harry Owens, who advises the Manx Government on the insects, says numbers in many other areas have also been hit, largely because of poor weather.

Earlier this year the charity Bumblebee Conservation Trust said bumblebee numbers for some of the UK’s 24 species appeared to be lower than normal.

Mr Owens says the amount of honey produced over here this year, is just a fraction of what he usually would expect: