A Thames Ditton beekeeper met with MPs at Parliament to wax lyrical about the world of bees.

Alison Derrick, who keeps her bees at hives near Hampton Court Palace, is the owner of BeeInspired, a home-based company which makes skincare products from bees wax and honey.

Ms Derrick was asked to showcase her products at The Houses of Parliament Honey Fair at Portcullis House on September 15, and met with Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom to discuss the current issues surrounding bees and pollination.

Ms Derrick, who has kept bees for 20 years, said: “We were absolutely overjoyed to be asked to showcase our wares to an All Party Parliamentary Group for Bees, along with the British Beekeepers Association, Surrey beekeepers - Kingston division, Friends of the Earth, Bee Farmers, Bee Connect, BumbleBee Trust, Kew Gardens and a few others.

“Bees play a vital role in pollinating our food chain, and we mustn’t overlook their welfare and continual safety.”

Guests were also invited to look at an observation hive.