POLICE are appealing for information after thousands of bees were killed after beehives were set alight in Embsay, near Skipton.

Two beehives in a field behind the Cavendish Arms pub, Skipton Road,  were set on fire and the bees killed sometime between February 23 and March 2.

A police spokesperson said: "Two beehives have been set alight to and burnt with approximately 40,000 bees inside the hives and sadly killed.

"We are appealing for information and are enquiring about CCTV footage nearby which may identify the suspect or suspects."

Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 and use reference number: NYP-03032021-0079.