Shoppers at a Primark store were evacuated earlier today (Tues) - after it was invaded by a swarm of bees.

A local beekeeper was scrambled to the store in Canterbury, Kent, to tackle the swarm that had gathered around a hanging plant pot at the entrance.

The beekeeper later removed the queen and placed her in a cardboard box with an entrance for any worker bees not taken with her.

One eyewitness said of the scene at Whitefriars shopping centre: "Many of the bees have now gone inside a cardboard box with the queen inside."

"But some are still flying around Whitefriars."

"Lots of people have stopped to watch the beekeeper at work."

Shoppers were first evacuated from the store after the swarm was discovered gathering around a hanging plant pot adorned with flowers this morning at around 10:30am.

A beekeeper was rushed to the scene and disturbed the cluster - managing to contain the queen bee in a cardboard box along with the majority of the worker bees.

But this led to the insects buzzing around the store in the cathedral city.

Some clusters of straddlers reportedly remain near the entrance of the closed Primark store.

The beekeeper - who has since left the scene - taped closed the cardboard box but left a hole for any further worker bees to go into.

He will return later to check on the swarms' progress.

A spokesperson for Primark said they would reopen the store as soon as it was safe for staff and customers.

They said: "We are really sorry we have had to temporarily close our Canterbury store while local bee control and conservation safely move a swarm of bees who showed up outside the store."

"We will reopen as soon as it is safe for our customers and colleagues, and the bees are safely relocated."

Last month, a windscreen repairman working in Kent stared on in disbelief as a swarm of bees surrounded the BMW he was fixing and nested inside.

The Autoglass worker said he was 'shell-shocked' as the insects buzzed around the car.

The bees are thought to have been looking for a new place to live after outgrowing their hive, and opted to land on the BMW 2 Series.