A colony of up to 50,000 honey bees in Kingskerswell has been fire-bombed in what has been described as a mindless act of vandalism.

The incident has shocked experts who have, for years, been fighting to ensure the survival of a species under threat from disappearing habitats, colony collapse and the effects of the deadly varoa mite.

The alarm was raised shortly after 9pm on Tuesday when smoke was seen billowing from the grounds surrounding the ruins of the old manor.

The Rev John Leonard was in a meeting at the neighbouring parish church and rushed out to see what was happening.

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