Jeremy Clarkson has defended his beehives on social media following a national report about local walkers complaining about being stung by his bees.

The Daily Mail reported on Saturday, July 20 that "Jeremy Clarkson has gone to war with ramblers at his Diddly Squat Farm" by "placing beehives at the perimeter of his farmhouse next to a public footpath to keep out nosey fans".

The Mail claimed that the TV star had "strategically erected 11 beehives behind a five-foot high hedge at the start of a lane that leads to his Cotswolds farm". 

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One local, who was reportedly stung a few weeks ago, told the Mail: "I understand that Jeremy doesn't want fans walking onto his land to try and find him – but it seems a bit dangerous to have so many beehives close to a public lane hidden behind a big hedge."

Following this report, Mr Clarkson took to social media to defend the placement of his beehives. 

Posting on X, he said: "Hilariously, the Mail reports that ramblers are being stung by my bees.

"Diddums."

In a second post, he said: "I put some beehives there because that’s the regen field and there are many things they like to pollinate.

"And now I’m in trouble because someone might get stung.

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"Who’d be a farmer?"

Star of Clarkson's Farm, Gerald Cooper also defended the beehives.

Speaking to the Mail, he said: "If people don't want to be stung then they should keep away from the lane."

He added: "These bees are not dangerous, I don't know what people are moaning about."