UNEXPECTED new tenants have been creating a buzz at the top of a York office block.

Two colonies of bees have been installed on the roof of Hiscox's Peasholme Green building and will be cared for by a small team of volunteers who already work for the insurance company.

The colonies equate to some 120,000 bees but will be looked after by the volunteers who have completed 10 hours of practical training in preparation for their arrival.

Ruth Horlock, part of the Hiscox team looking after the bees, said: "Urban bee keeping is fascinating so it’s great to be involved. "There’s a lot to consider – putting all the safety systems in place, deciding on appropriate equipment and completing formal training – so that has really helped to prepare us for the challenge.

"Now we are ready for what promises to be a very successful first year of urban bee keeping here in York."

The new office, which opened in December, features a unique and unusual woven-effect brickwork design on the exterior.

The pre-fabricated brick panels used bricks from Germany and was manufactured in Holland before being transported to York.

Edward Pope, Hiscox’s apiary consultant, added: "We are keen not only to increase the bee population here in York for pollination, but also to encourage Hiscox staff to promote bee-friendly planting in their own gardens.

"Ninety per cent of food worldwide is provided by just a 100 crop species, and 71 of these are dependent on honey bees for pollination, so the serious decline in honey bees in the UK is a threat to future food supplies."

The honey bee has existed for over 60 million years. It takes 1,100 bees and around four million flowers to make 1kg of honey.