A FOREST garden society is offering a grant of up to £300 to get one new beekeeper buzzing.

Since 2009, the Brockweir, Hewelsfield and St Briavels Garden Society has noticed a steady decline in the number of bees and bee keepers in the UK.

They say that bees are vital to the pollination of gardens, fruit, arable crops and vegetables and without them "the food chain would be in serious danger."

As a way to revive the hobby they are offering a £300 grant to anyone resident within the parish of Alvington, Aylburton, Coleford, Hewelsfield and Brockweir, Lydney, Newland, St Briavels, Tidenham, West Dean or Woolaston.

The grant covers the cost of the beekeeping course and membership of the Dean Forest Branch of the Beekeepers Association where new members will receive support and advice. Any money left over can make a significant contribution to the cost of a hive, protective clothing and other basic equipment.

Applications close on December 17 with interviews of the short-listed applicants taking place in January 2014.

Society chairperson, Mike Weeks said: "The Society regards its support for beekeeping as a small but important contribution to the well-being of the bee population and expects gardeners throughout the area to benefit noticeably from the increasing number of bees".

For an application form and the terms and conditions of the grant please contact David Broadbent by email [email protected]">[email protected].