A BEEKEEPER is appealing for information after six of his beehives were stolen.

He believes the hives were stolen from an orchard in Staunton Lane in Staunton on Arrow near Leominster sometime between 2pm on February 7 and 11.45am on February 9.

The hives, belonging to John Fletcher, are valued at around £4,000 and he said he was 'sickened' to find they were missing.

The 66-year-old, who has kept bees as a hobby for almost 10 years, said: "I went to feed them on Sunday and found that six out of seven hives were missing. It's sickening to think that someone would steal them - if they don't know how to look after them the bees will die."

Police are appealing for anyone who saw a vehicle in the orchard during those times or anyone with information about this theft to contact them by calling 101 and quoting incident number 280s 090214.