YORK Racecourse was crawling with bug fans at the weekend, when it hosted an insect extravaganza.

Bugs and bug-lovers of all shapes and sizes swarmed to Knavesmire for the Northern Entomology Exhibition 2007.

Among the highlights was an innovative homing-bee race. Visitors took home a bumble bee, before releasing it, with the first one back to the hives the winner.

Bee boffin Gordon Port revealed the different creatures were identified by tiny numbers stuck to their backs.

Show organiser Nick Holford said: "We want to really capture the public's imagination and give them a fascinating insight into these wonderful beasts which make up for more than 60 per cent of the world's species.

"The idea is to attract anyone with an interest in insects, whether they are families on a day out or people are who regard themselves as hardened insect spotters."