Picture: Mariusz Chudy

More than one million bees were killed when their hives were soaked in petrol and set alight.

Three hives were destroyed and three others severely damaged in the arson attack.

Master bee keeper Mariusz Chudy said he was “hit by the strong smell of petrol” before finding his life’s work ablaze.

Mr Chudy, 52, of Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire, has been a keen apiarist for the last 30 years.

He said: “This is my life, and someone has taken this away from me.

“It is a nightmare, just horrible.

“It is not just about me and the bees, but for other farmers as well.

“The air has now been contaminated and it would be really difficult to go pass that.”

Mr Chudy built the hives himself.

He heads up the family honey business Golden Drops.

Farmer David Rose, who owns the land, said:

“I am in shock, and we are all concerned about this.

“We were planning to host an open day in September and show people how important bees are.

“I do not think that we will be able to do that anymore, and it is just upsetting.’

Thomas Rawlings from West Bridgford police station said:

“This was a deliberate cruel act which has clearly left the owner devastated.

“This was wanton vandalism, a malicious attack which has resulted in the deaths of all these bees.

“I would urge anyone who has any information about the attack or who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to please come forward and help us with our enquiries.

“People can ring 101 quoting incident number 515 of 21 August 2021.”