PEST control experts have warned of the potentially fatal dangers of wasps after a Hampshire man died when he was stung by a swarm of the insects at his farm.

Colin Marlow, 56, was attacked by the wasps after disturbing a nest at his smallholding near Fordingbridge.

He was stung repeatedly and is thought to have gone into shock, collapsed and suffered heart failure.

This summer the number of wasps in the south has soared.

Last week the Daily Echo, right, revealed that council pest control teams across the region were unable to deal with rising calls to destroy nests.

During August 2003 Southampton City Council received about 30 reports of wasp nests each week. During the same month this year, that number has risen dramatically to an average 25 per day.

Experts fear the south could see more casualties.

A spokesman at Solent Pest Control in Southampton, said: "At this time of year the wasps are after sap in willow and fruit trees.

"Last year they didn't reproduce and they are making up for it this year. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear of more deaths this year."

Phil Morgan, owner of Longwood Pest Control in Winchester, said people should never deal with a nest without professional help.

He said: "This year we have had a 500 per cent rise in call-outs on last year. There are many theories for the rise in wasp numbers, one is that there are fewer pesticides being used in farming, so they don't get killed off.

"We advise people to get professional help. There can be up to 25,000 wasps in one nest.

"You can buy stuff to deal with the nests yourself but the trouble with that is that you have to go right up to the nest. We use lances up to 30 feet in length, we do not go anywhere near the nest and wear protective clothing.

"When you are dealing with a nest you are basically disturbing it and they will become angry. I'm not surprised to hear about this latest death, wasps can be very dangerous."