A SWARM of bees in a park in a town in Oxfordsire are causing a nuisance.

The mining bees have been nesting in a sand pit at Kilkenny Lane Country Park in Carterton.

The town council has received complaints about the bees - which were previously thought to be wasps - and is reminding people that it is illegal to kill them as they are currently under threat.

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In a statement from the council, it says: "The bees are swarming for the mating season and return each year to do so but should not stay very long.

"Sometimes if the weather is unusually warm they may stay a while longer.

"If you are worried about their presence please avoid the sand pit until they have left."