RESIDENTS in West Craven are being reminded that the Council will not kill bees - so don't ask!

Pendle's Pest Control service will destroy wasps' nests, but not bee colonies and swarms because bees play a crucial role in the food chain and numbers are dwindling. Councillor John David, whose wife keeps bees, said: "In the UK about 70 crops are dependent on visits from bees.

"Over one-third of the food we eat would not be available without bees so they really do play a major part in all of our lives.

"The economic benefit of honey bees is over £200 million a year with each hive valued at about £600."

Bee numbers have been dwindling in recent years due to changes in the climate, destruction of hives and disease.

Pauline Foley, Environmental Health Manager, added: "Pendle's Pest Control Officers can offer help and advice with identifying insects.

"We will not destroy bee colonies and please don't allow a private contractor to kill them either.

"We currently charge £22.80 to remove wasps' nests from domestic properties; however, if the insects are found to be bees you will be offered a refund."

There are a few handy hints to help residents identify the difference between bees and wasps:

Wasps - eat animal food, other insects and spiders and don't store any honey. They make their nests from paper and live for only one season.

The basic colour for wasps is black with yellow stripes. There are about eight different kinds of wasp in the UK.

Bumble bees - are quite big and furry. They are black or brown with wide stripes of yellow or white. Their nests look like a birds nest and usually contain fewer than 100 bees. They are found in compost heaps, garden sheds, mouse holes and tussocks of grass.

Honey bees - live in big colonies from season to season surviving off stored honey in the winter. Colonies have between 5,000 and 100,000 bees. They are smaller than wasps and are usually dark brown, sometimes with paler bands of yellow or orange. They are never black and yellow.

David Riley, Pendle Council's resident bee-keeper, offers some advice on what to do if you encounter a swarm of bees: "If you see a swarm of bees it is nothing to worry about - it is simply their way of moving home.

"They congregate temporarily, usually on a post or bush, while they decide where to make their new home.

"This is the time that they should be collected by an experienced bee-keeper and re-homed.

"A flying swarm may look and sound a bit daunting, but they are nothing to worry about - they won't take any notice of you and it is best to simply leave them alone."