The disappearance of thousands of honeybees has left west London beekeepers mystified.

Described as "the Marie Celeste disease", bee enthusiasts all over the country have been finding their hives empty since the beginning of February.

Harrow Beekeepers Association (HBKA), based near Hatch End swimming pool, in Uxbridge Road, has lost nearly 70 per cent of its bees.

Jo Telfer, 65, of Elm Park, Pinner, who has been a member of HBKA for more than 20 years, said: "What we are finding is that our 67 members are losing between 50 to 70 per cent of their colonies all through the spring.

"Despite the weather being so good we are still losing them."

Jo, who also keeps bees in her garden, has lost seven of her colonies due to the Varroa mite, which has become resistant to the treatment keepers having been using for the last 15 years.

But the disappearance of the shared bees is a complete mystery.

Theorists believe British honeybees are suffering from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon sweeping through the USA.

Jo, who holds regular beekeeping sessions for beginners, said: "Everybody is very concerned about CCD and apparently there have been cases of it over the last few years.

"No one can find a reason for why the bees have died.

"It is expected for some bees to have died over the winter and they are examined to find out what has caused it, but with CCD when you open the hive there a just a dozen or so left where normally there would be around 50,000."

Jo's colleagues at the Pinner and Ruislip Beekeeping Association have reported similar findings.

Jean Smith and her husband Tony, have been members of the Pinner and Ruislip group for more than 30 years.

Jean explained: "We have lost all the association's bees. They have all gone. We always get seasonal losses but this year we have lost everything, around 60,000 bees."

Jean said a few days ago when a hive was opened, the queen bee, who is central to the hive, flew away, something which is completely unheard of.

She said: "Once a hive loses a queen, there is no hope for the rest of the bees."