BEES are being fed a sugar “takeaway” to keep them alive - as they are refusing to venture from their hives in the cold, wet weather.

Members of Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers’ Association are trying to make up for the lack of nectar by feeding a sugar solution to their colonies.

The rainy conditions mean honey bees cannot venture out of their hives to gather the nectar needed to feed their young and produce honey.

Ultimately this can stop the queen bee reproducing and can result in the death of the colony.

Peter Gudgeon, from Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers’ Association, said it is the first time they have had to take such measures in summer.

“I have been keeping bees for 25 years and I have never had to feed my colonies at this time of year before,” he said.

“It is something we would normally do in the autumn as we prepare for the winter - we really are in uncharted territory this summer.”

Members of the association, who are preparing for their biggest event of the year, the annual honey display at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, are providing the 40,000 to 60,000 bees in each colony with their own version of a doorstep take away.

It consists of a special feeding device containing a sugar and water syrup inserted into the roof of hive so the bees do not need to leave to gather food.