TWO Keighley men reckon they have saved up to two million bees by rescuing colonies from the wild.

Paul Sheldon and John Pickles have for the past two years been seeking out bee colonies and honey bee swarms in their natural habitats.

They have collected the colonies and rehomed them at almost 50 hives at several locations across Keighley.

The pair, with their project The Bee Yard, hope to add another 25 hives to their collection by the end of 2017.

Paul said he and John were “trying to make a difference” to the ongoing national decline of bee populations through their efforts.

He said: “The Bee Yard has nearly 50 hives located in several apiaries around Keighley, that’s around one million bees, growing to over two million in the height of summer.

“This has only been possible with the support from local residents and businesses.”

Mr Sheldon said The Bee Yard was set up to combat the threat to bee population and other wildlife.

He said: “There is strong evidence that Neonicotinoids pesticides are involved in this problem and are impacting on other species such as birds and aquatic insects. Another major factor is the loss of habitat and their food supply.

“Both of us are relatively new to beekeeping but we have gained a vast wealth of knowledge and experience from Bradford Beekeepers Association and Airedale Beekeepers Association.

“Our mentor from Buckfast Yorkshire Bees has been great help in teaching us about queen rearing in preparation for the start of this season.”

Paul said the “thrifty pair of Yorkshire men” also made a lot of their own equipment to help keep costs down.

He said: “Some equipment is made from recycled wood from companies who let us plunder their wood skips. Any money made from the sale of honey and equipment goes directly into buying more equipment, feed and disease treatments.”

Paul is appealing for local people to help The Bee Yard reach the target of 75 hives by the end of the year.

Anyone who wishes to get involved, follow the project’s progress, should visit thebeeyard.co.uk or Facebook at The Bee Yard.

The decline in the English wild bee population has been recognised by experts for several years.

Last year an 18-year study linked the extinction of wild bee colonies colonies to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides on oilseed rape crops, where the bees often forage.