Around 60 South Liverpool residents are to take part in the six-week programme

Land at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is to become a hive of activity when a group of local people embark on a beekeeping course.

LJLA has teamed up with South Liverpool Homes and training organisation Blackburne House to deliver the course to around 60 people.

It’s aim is to tackle worklessness and isolation in the surrounding area by enhancing the employability of residents who will acquire new skills.

Organisers of the course also believe it will improve the health and wellbeing of the participants as well as having a positive impact on their environment.

The course will last for six weeks and is being delivered by a beekeeping expert from Blackburne House and will take place on unused land at the airport.

The land has been transformed into an apiary that now houses 15 hives, with South Liverpool Homes funding the essential equipment needed to deliver the course – including the hives, the bees and protective gear.

Andrew Dutton, head of environment at LJLA, said: “This is a great scheme from an environmental perspective and the airport has been only too happy to provide a home for 15 bee hives on land that we own as part of our community plan.

“Honey bees have experienced a worrying decline over recent years but courses like this will both help to revive the local bee population and assist those individuals participating to find a path back into employment.”