Children at Symondsbury Primary School are really enjoying beekeeing, thanks to generous donations from the community.

Those in the beekeeping club would like to thank Beyond Events, Susan David, Mr and Mrs Warburton and Mr and Mrs Teague for enabling them to buy beekeeping suits and gloves.

A spokesman said: "We have had some excellent practical sessions at the apiary, and the children are really getting to grips with the craft of beekeeping, asking lots of questions and really embracing the science, maths and English, while gaining a fantastic understanding of the importance of bees in our world.

"We are following a syllabus to achieve their Junior Beekeeping Qualification, an assessor from the British Beekeeping Association will come along in July and the children will share what they have learnt during the course and receive a certificate.

"As well as the practical and oral assessment, the children will be creating a collage, model, painting or writing an essay connected to the syllabus to show their understanding of bees and beekeeping."

Here's what some of the children have said about the bee club and what they enjoyed:

Maddie: "I have really enjoyed learning about the colony and how bees live, but most of all loved seeing the bees in action."

Harvey: "Seeing the bees and learning the names of the hive and doing two different types of bees."

Fred: "I really enjoyed the first few sessions, they have been very fun. I liked learning about the bees and what types they have."

Eli: "Seeing the bees, seeing how honey is made."

Betty: "I loved seeing the bees, the bee hives and the honey."

Tutors from The Dorset Bee hope to be able to offer the course to more local schools and community groups next summer. 

The spokesman added: "We are applying for funding and we would welcome further donations to allow us to purchase additional hives for the children to manage, our target is £500.

"Please contact the school directly if you are able to donate, on 01308 423502."