A BEE hotel created for Norton Priory Museum & Gardens was buzzing with activity at the RHS Show in Tatton.

It was a smaller version of one designed by Nigel McQuilton that is on display in their walled garden in Runcorn.

Norton Priory activity planner Claire Broadhurst said: “The bee hotel is to attract solitary bees such as mason bees. They lay their eggs in the small holes drilled in the wood which will then emerge next season.

“Bees are very good for the garden, helping to pollinate all the fruits and flowers.

“Our beekeeper, Paul Quigley was there to talk to people about the bees and how you can encourage bees in your own garden.”

Their display garden was part of a show feature by Cheshire Gardens which won an award for best show feature.

It was full of herbs, vegetables and bee friendly flowers that you can find at Norton Priory.

Claire added: "The plants included nicandra physaloides, also known as the shoo-fly plant, strawberry toscana, lavender and cleome fountains mix.

"A big well done to John Budworth, Pauline Budworth and Kimberley Hankin for creating our wonderful show garden.

"The Norton Priory team was really pleased to be involved in the Cheshire Gardens show feature and had a great time chatting to people at the show. The gardens were all beautiful."

Bluebell Cottage from Dutton, Arley Hall and Gardens and the Cheshire Gardens Trust were part of the Cheshire Gardens show feature.

A willow greyhound, created by Juliette Hamilton for the show, will be added to the sculpture trail around the Norton Priory walled garden.

A stone carving created by master stonemason Altomont Townsend was also on display. He has been working on a stone bench for the priory ruins.