A soft furnishings sales assistant is doing his bit for the plight of bees by helping develop a hive on the roof of the John Lewis department store.

Michael Keogh, 48, who lives in Surbiton, said: "It must come from my roots as my father was a farmer as a younger man and was always interested in gardening.

"It is just knowing the bees are doing the environment good.

"I have only been stung twice and that was having a cup of tea at Hampton Court."

He was trained by the Kingston Beekeepers.

The hive, which numbers about 10,000 bees, swarms as far as a three-mile radius so the next time you see a bee in your garden, it could be of John Lewis vintage.

But you will have to wait until at least a year for any honey while the queen watches her workers spread across the other nine of the 12 frames of the hive.

- Pensioners at Kingston Age Concern may be getting fit by balancing precariously on a wobble board in front of a games console as you
read this thanks to a donations scheme backed by
shoppers.

Twelve charities received money this week from the John Lewis community matters scheme, where green tokens are dropped into boxes by shoppers.
After each round the donations, or gifts to the same amount, are split among the charities, who were nominated by the employees, described as partners.

Lene Wood, community liaison officer, said: “Pauline Woods from Born Too Soon [prematurely born babies charity at Kingston Hospital] has had a room makeover with rocking chairs, lamps, pictures, cushions and foot stools.

"Our partners went down and did the room up.

"Age Concern had a Wii fit bounce board and yoga sessions.”

Other charities that benefitted included the Douglas Bader Foundation, Kingston Foodbank, Fircroft and Surrey Special Olympics.