I HAVE read with interest the correspondence about bee hives on allotments in Hurworth (Echo, Sept 20).

However, many of the writers have got their facts wrong.

In this country bees do not swarm to attack. They swarm to relocate, the most common reason being that their existing hive is too full.

They will only attack a person or an animal in defence of the hive or its members. If you leave them alone they will not attack.

They are defensive, not aggressive, by nature. If they sting they die so they avoid stinging.

In general, wasps are involved in about 70 per cent of the stings to humans and they are often mistaken for bees because of their yellow and black bodies.

If you do not plant additional bee-friendly plants in your garden, you will not attract any more bees – even if the hives are just over the fence.

The number of bees will remain the same – there is no additional food for them or reason for more to visit so they will go elsewhere.

It appears that HAS is being used to stir up fear of bees.

Check the facts for yourselves – speak to an expert from the British Beekeepers Association.

Sue Haam, Hurworth