A SWARM of up to 20,000‘angry bees’ invaded a postbox in Ulverston.

Tens of thousands of bees chose to nest in a postbox in Rope Walk at Outcast, Ulverston, causing the area to be cordoned off.

The area was closed off by cones warning pedestrians of ‘angry bees’ in the vicinity.

Furness Beekeepers (FBKA), a charitable association which promotes the ‘critical awareness’ of bees, were called out to remove the nest.

David Walmsley, secretary of Furness Beekeepers, said this is the 'strangest' place he has ever seen a hive.

"This is the first post box I have ever seen a swarm of bees nest in, and probably the strangest place too," he said.

"Bees will go anywhere they can as long as it's dark and warm.

"They naturally live in caves, holes and hollow trees so a post box would suit the hive quite nicely.

"They do produce the most colonies around May, June and July but it is rare we get called out to remove a nest.

"These bees were particularly angry bees too - they often vary in their temperament."

The bees were removed by a Furness Beekeepers member before they could inflict any damage.

"All you have to do when you remove them is the cut the honeycomb off and put them in a bag or box," he said.

"There was at least 20,000 there in the swarm and there probably are a few left now.

"Luckily no one had actually used the postbox yet, otherwise the bees could have inflicted a few stings."