Thousands of bees start Coventry arena residency

Liz Middleton and Mark Gale hoped the new colony would boost the local bee population

Thousands of bees have taken up residence on top of an arena.

The colony, which has been spread between two hives, has been placed on the roof of Coventry's Skydome by a not-for-profit company.

The bees were currently hibernating due to the colder weather but it was hoped in the future they would be able to grow the colony and increase local bee populations.

Staff at the Skydome said they hoped to expand the apiary next year.

In the UK, honeybees are in sharp decline with up to half of colonies dying out each year, according to Bees Max.

Their aim is to reverse the decline of the country's bee population and Mark Gale, from the not-for-profit company, says there is one colony with about 10,000 bees currently on the site.

"Hopefully come the spring they will be expanding and growing," he said.

"If they can look after themselves and fly off and re-establish the race in a tree or in another place that is absolutely fine because that is what we are all about."

Liz Middleton, from Coventry Skydome, told BBC CWR they were excited to be hosting the colony.

"We are always looking to make a positive impact on the environment," she added.