Powys beekeepers will be among those delivering honey to care homes and hospitals on Wednesday as part of a Wales-wide initiative to mark World Bee Day.

Honey producers in the country had intended to spend May 20 with their counterparts at an event in London celebrating the super-pollinators and their sweet product.

But instead, because of coronavirus, they will be sending jars of honey to care homes and hospitals to provide a pick-me-up for staff amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The group of beekeepers are members of the Welsh Government Welsh Honey Cluster – and include Bee Welsh Honey from Builth Wells.

Welsh Honey Cluster Lead, Haf Wyn Hughes said, “This is the beekeepers’ way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who are working on the frontline at this turbulent and worrying time.

“Last month the Welsh Honey Cluster created a location map of Cluster members to raise the consumer's awareness. Now those members are celebrating World Bee Day by supporting their own local communities.”

Each year, the UK produces 3,000-4,000 tonnes of honey – of which around 10 per cent comes from Wales. However, that is less than one per cent of the total amount of honey consumed in the UK, as around 35,000 tonnes are imported to meet consumer demand.

“Welsh honey is perceived as a premium product by consumers. Honey cannot be manufactured – the only way to increase availability of Welsh honey is to increase the number of honey bee colonies in Wales and to develop routes to market. Taking part in World Bee Day is an important opportunity for Welsh beekeepers to gain international recognition” Ms Wyn Hughes added.