A large swarm of bees have been spotted near Deansgate in central Manchester this afternoon, as revellers enjoy the sunny weather. The bees covered a traffic light on the corner of King Street and Cross Street, as temperatures in Manchester hit 25 degrees.
Video footage captured the moment that thousands of the flying insects were spotted at the busy city centre junction on Sunday (July 10). People could even be seen covering their faces with their clothes and ducking down in a bid to escape the swarm.
"I know Manchester is known for bees, but this was a bit extreme," Jen, who saw the bees while out and about this afternoon, tweeted. The bees were also seen gathering on an adjacent postbox on King Street.
READ MORE: Awe-inspiring 93 year-old 'adrenaline junkie' grandma abseils down Etihad for charity
It isn't the first time swarms of the city's adopted insect have taken over the streets either. In June last year, the Manchester Evening News reported the incredible moment thousands of bees descended on a BMW outside an office block.
And just days after, another swarm settled outside bar Albert Schloss, also in the city centre. A swarm of bees poses little danger if you know what to do, but passersby are advised to leave the bees alone and call their local swarm collector. You should not attempt to injure or remove the swarm yourself.
According to the British Beekeepers Association, a honeybee colony will swam to reproduce when the old queen leaves a colony with some of the bees. They leave their hive and find a spot to wait in until scout bees decide on a new home for the colony, typically between the months of May and July.
Manchester City Council has been contacted for comment.
READ NEXT:
- 'When the big Tesco opened we thought it would kill us': Inside Greater Manchester's oldest family bakery
- The 'most tranquil' Peak District village with only 250 people and not a busy road in sight
'Spectacular' Red Arrows pictured flying over Bolton and Wigan
Two shootings and double stabbing in bloody night of violence across Greater Manchester
