Beekeepers are concerned about a new virulent strain of bug

The varroa mite had been tackled using pesticides hung in hives after honey had been collected.

Now a mutant strain, resistant to these chemicals, has been found in the Child's Ercall and Market Drayton areas of the county.

The bug first arrived on the south coast of England from Europe 10 years ago.

At one stage it destroyed three-quarters of the UK's honey bee population and was recently reported to have resurfaced in Scotland.

It can cause death and deformity among the insects until only ageing and unproductive bees are left and entire colonies collapse.