BEE fanatic, Vincent Lamb, is desperate to get bee-zy - but his swarm buzzed off while he was undergoing an urgent eye operation.

Now Vincent, 88, is hoping to get his hob-bee back on track by getting his hands on a new swarm.

Vincent, also known as Vic, who has lived in Kidderminster all his life, says he has indulged his love of bees since he was 14.

He had to abandon his garage rooftop hive at his home off Birmingham Road last May, however, when he was called in for a long-awaited operation to remove cataracts.

Because of his condition, he was not able to get up to his beloved bees to tend to them and the entire swarm flew off.

Now the bee season has come back round and Vincent and wife Vera are hoping another bee fanatic can come to the rescue.

"I miss having my bees so much," said Vincent. "It makes me really miserable to be without them."

He has currently put his empty hives near an oilseed rape field at Mustow Green in the hope of attracting a swarm but, if that fails, he hopes another bee keeper will be able to help.

Vera said: "It is his life. He absolutely loves his bees. I can't stand them myself but they give him a lot of satisfaction. He talks to them and treats them like little pets."

His small-scale operation produces jars of honey that he shares with friends.

Vincent, who was a welder until his retirement, does not bother donning protective gear because he is rarely stung, added Vera.

"He says that bees are like dogs - they can smell fear and, because he loves them, they don't bother with him."

Anyone who can help Vincent fill his hive is urged to contact the couple on 01562 740773.