VISITORS and stallholders were amazed when a swarm of bees arrived on Weymouth Beach.

The swarm swept across Weymouth Esplanade before coming to rest on the corner of the Punch and Judy show booth.

A show was cancelled and staff from the beach control centre cordoned off the area.

Official collector for the show, Rene Smith said: "Before we knew it they had landed on us. We saw them swarming above the beach for ages before they actually landed.

"They haven't stung anyone as far as I know - the area was cordoned off and we've tried not to aggravate them.

"There are thousands of them I would imagine, the way they were swarming over us."

Punch and Judy showman Mark Poulton said the bees appeared across the promenade yesterday afternoon and most people were amazed.

He added: "It's certainly unique, I'm baffled by it.

"I'm just glad it happened mid-way between the shows and not during a performance.

"I would have been really worried for the audience.

"It was absolutely incredible when they landed on top of the booth. They must have liked the new paintwork colour.

"I was panicking about opening the door and seeing them inside, but luckily they were just outside."

He added: "There's never a dull moment working on the beach, you never know what you might find one day to the next.

"I just hope all the people who missed the show will come down and see it again."

Beekeeper assistant Carol Donaghy from Broadmayne answered the call-out made to her beekeeper husband, Chris, who was not at home.

She said: "Because there were lots of children around I came straight down.

"The bees were lying flat, rather than in a ball, so I couldn't just move them. If I tapped them most would have hit the floor."

Mrs Donaghy was scheduled to return with her husband yesterday evening when it was cooler.

She said: "We'll put them in a box and take them home to Broadmayne where we have a few hives."