There is a buzz in Croydon as the borough's beekeepers celebrate their recent success at the 84th National Honey Show.

Members of the Croydon Beekeepers Association (CBA) took home four first prize trophies from the competition, plus a range of other awards for their honey, beeswax, mead and honey cake.

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Meriel Spalding being presented with her award at the 84th National Honey Show

The impressive haul achieved by Bob Barnes, Meriel Spalding, John Collett, Barbara Barnes and Tracey Carter meant that Croydon retained the Douglas Cup, a "hotly-contested" trophy between Croydon and Wimbledon.

Ms Spalding tasted sweet victory in the Jean Blaxland Prize for making the best mead in the show, while Mr Barnes won the Hosegood Cup for finishing as the Croydon member with the most points.

Tracey Carter, who looks after fundraising and communications for the CBA, said: "It's a big deal for Croydon. You've got Wimbledon, Richmond, quite posh areas. We're seen as a poor cousin - but we're doing really, really well".

The show took place in Weymouth between October 29 and October 31.

Beekeeping has long history in Croydon. The CBA, which has an apiary in Hartley Down, Purley, has existed in some form since 1879.

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At the CBA apiary in Hartley Down, Purley

Chairman Mark Stott said: "Many people are not aware that there are beekeepers in Croydon today. However, we are in fact part of a long heritage.

"There are many parks in Croydon with trees and plants that our bees love. However they also rely on gardens and window-boxes, so by choosing plants that bees love, everyone can help our bees survive and thrive into the future."

Anyone interested in joining the Croydon Beekeepers Association can visit croydonbeekeepers.org.uk