BEE keepers in Ludlow and south Shropshire and Tenbury and the Teme Valley are being put on alert.

The Asian Hornet, which presents a major threat to bees, has been discovered just a few miles away.

This invasive species that preys on honey bees was spotted in Tetbury in Gloucestershire earlier and attempts are underway to find and destroy its nests.

But the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) says confirmed sightings in both the Channel Islands and now mainland Britain mean that many more are likely to be found and the national trade body is calling on people who discover them to act responsibly.

The hornet, said to pose a very real threat to our native species of bees, is already common across Europe and officials anticipating its arrival in this country for several years have set up a protocol designed to eradicate them.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has set up a three-mile surveillance zone and a ‘species alert’ has been issued.

“We have been anticipating the arrival of the Asian hornet for some years and have a well-established protocol in place to eradicate them and control any potential spread,” said Nicola Spence, DEFRA’s deputy director for plant and bee health.

“It’s important to remember they pose no greater risk to human health than a bee, though we recognise the damage they can cause to honeybee colonies. That’s why we are taking swift and robust action to identify and destroy any nests.”

The distinctive hornet, smaller than the native species, is most likely to be found in southern parts of England, but could also be accidentally imported among goods such as soil with pot plants, cut flowers, fruit and timber.

Its active months are between April and November though it's inactive over the winter.

Sightings should be sent with a photograph and local details to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk