HONEY produced by a Clitheroe cement firm's storesman John Zamorski is creating a buzz among colleagues as a cure for hayfever.

And his employer, Castle Cement, is the bee's knees after stepping in to save an annual beekeepers' competition stung by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The Blackburn branch of the British Beekeepers' Association used to hold its annual honey competition on farms in the area.

But the popular competition, which attracts dozens of entrants, was under threat when local agricultural land was closed due to foot and mouth.

There was a buzz among the beekeepers when Castle Cement came to the rescue and employee John went on to enjoy the sweet taste of success in the top competition.

John, who is a team leader in the main stores at the company's Ribblesdale Works, came first in his class with his honey that workmates claim cures their hayfever.

"I usually produce about 150lbs of honey each year, but the wet weather has affected my hives and I only produced about 30lbs this year.

"My honey is certainly in demand, especially among hayfever sufferers, who swear it makes a big difference.

"There is no medical proof that the honey is a hayfever cure, but there are plenty of colleagues who say that after taking my honey their symptoms improve," he said.

When it comes to all things bees, John is a hive of activity, being programme secretary and librarian of the local branch of the British Beekeepers Association.

He also makes ornamental candles and won a prize in the competition for making a wine glass out of beeswax.

And he regularly speaks on his favourite topic to groups across Lancashire, such as schools, Rotary Clubs and the Women's Institute. He keeps about 15 hives containing up to a million bees at the height of summer, in a secret Clitheroe location.

"I wear protective clothing when I am handling the bees and I've been stung hundreds of times, so I'm getting quite used to it now!" he said.

The change of venue to a building at Castle Cement's Ribblesdale Works in Clitheroe was a godsend for the busy beekeepers.

"There is a lot of time to kill when the judging is going on and the former personnel block that we use is big enough for us to put on displays while we are waiting for the results." John added.

A spokesman for Castle Cement said: "When John asked us for a venue for the competition, we had no hesitation in helping out. We are only too pleased to accommodate the wider community and are very proud of his achievements."