THOUSANDS of bees have been killed in an attack on two hives in the New Forest.
Vandals are thought to have knocked over the hives and then pelted them with bricks or stones, exposing the bees to sub-zero temperatures.
Beekeeper Laurence Soffe, 69, of Ashdene Road, Ashurst, condemned the "brainless idiots" responsible for the damage.
He said: "My wife and I were walking past the end of Whart-ons Lane when we saw what had been done to the hives. I return-ed later and managed to put them together as best I could.
"There were thousands of dead bees and I thought I'd lost the lot, but on closer inspection I realised that the brood chambers weren't too badly damaged.
"Provided the two queens are still there, the rest of the bees should survive."
Peter Hill of the New Forest and District Beekeepers' Association said: "It's disgusting that people could go for bees in that way. I'll get in touch with Mr Soffe and see if there's anything we can do.
"The bees that left the hives to investigate would have been very upset because they spend the winter trying to keep warm.
A police spokesman said the incident was being investigated.
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