The UK Honey Association warns that the cost of raw honey is likely to increase by 25 per cent, and Llansantffraid beekeeper Tony Gray insists this is largely because of the poor weather in Argentina.

Tony today revealed how 80 per cent of our country's honey is imported from abroad, although local farmers like himself have also been hit heavily this year following a summer hit by rain.

On top of this, honey has became more popular than ever, and when an increase in demand and a shortage in supply collide prices only go one way.

Tony, who owns five hives in an apiary in Llansantffraid, admits the poor season has been a cause for concern, but not enough to stop him going commercial by 2009.

"I have kept bees for about four or five years now and, after years of just having five organic hives, I now have plans to expand the business to 100 hives.

"This would see me having approximately 50 hives in Llansantffraid and a further 50 in a new site in Queenshead, near Oswestry."

And with honey now outselling breakfast favourite Marmalade, largely due to the successful advertising campaigns of sugar coated cereals – including Weetabix and Quaker – the largest honey seller, Rowse, claim the market has increased by 50 per cent in the past five years.

With figures like these floating around who can blame Tony for trying to increase the produce of local honey – let's hope the weather improves and there's no sting in the tale.

Anyone interested in learning about beekeeping is invited to "buzz along" to the Kingswell Centre in Arthur Street, Oswestry, for an eight-week course which started on January 10.

Tony is running the course covering the basic knowledge anyone needs to be able to keep bees safely, an understanding of the legislation and how to care for bees and the environment.

Mr Gray added: "Albert Einstein said that without bees to pollinate flowers and produce fruits, all life on earth will perish, which shows us the importance of bees in our life on earth. Not only do they pollinate the flowers but also they give us a natural, healthy, tasty treat – honey!

"I want to give people the opportunity to learn how to keep these fascinating creatures."

The sessions start at 7:30pm and fees are £12.50 per two hour session (£10 concessionary rate for unemployed and retired).

The course will also includes a free apiary visit in the spring to see Tony's bees which he keeps on an organic farm at Llansantffraid.

He said the course is designed by the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) and after completing it and keeping bees for a year, providing a person is a member of the BBKA they can take further studies and courses with the BBKA.

For more information, contact Tony Gray on 01691 672869.