A community group in south Norfolk is ensuring a cluster of more than 60,000 bees are looked after as winter approaches.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: A swarm is moved back into a hive by the Starston Bee GroupA swarm is moved back into a hive by the Starston Bee Group (Image: Archant)

Volunteer beekeepers in Starston are feeding three hives of honey bees on Glebe Meadow to help bolster their stores of food.

Three times a week a team of keepers head out to the hives armed with sugar syrup to supplement the bees' diet of pollen and nectar.

Beekeeper Peter Grimble said: 'Bee hives can struggle in winter unless you help them along.'

The community meadow which houses the hives was bought by the village in 2012 and has since become a public amenity.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The Starston bee group with an observation hive at Starston Village FeteThe Starston bee group with an observation hive at Starston Village Fete (Image: Archant)

An orchard of fruit trees has been planted by village families, bird boxes have been made by local children and a wooden footbridge to cross the Beck has been installed.

The hives, which have been in place for almost a year, mark the last milestone in the meadow's development.

Mr Grimble, who is one of the village's eight volunteer beekeepers, said: 'The bees are the last stage of what we wanted to do to create something for the village.

'The meadow is an asset for the community.'

The team is sharing the story of the bees, most recently with an observation hive at the village fete.

Mr Grimble, 68, said: 'We want to help people understand bees better because they are so important.'

The team is keen to welcome new members to the group which is supported by the Waveney Beekeeping Group.

For more information visit www.starstonvillage.co.uk

Are you leading a community project? Email kate.royall@archant.co.uk