THOUSANDS of bees sent shoppers and tourists running for cover when they descended on York city centre.

The potentially-dangerous swarm was first sighted in Duncombe Place yesterday afternoon before it settled outside the Tandoori Night Indian restaurant, in Bootham.

Pedestrians and cyclists were forced to take evasive action from the bees, with many taking cover in shops and doorways.

Witnesses watched amazed as an elderly woman in a motorised wheelchair put a coat over her head and drove through the swarm at top speed.

Beekeeper David Smith, from Malton Road, York, came to the rescue after being called by City of York Council's environmental health team.

He donned a protective suit and used a brush to gather the 4,000-strong swarm into a hive box before re-housing them.

"It was quite dangerous for the public as they don't have the equipment to deal with them," Mr Smith said. "Swarms are caused when a bee colony gets too big for the hive. They are basically looking for another home.

"I managed to catch most of them with a bit of gentle persuasion."

Andy Easton, who works at nearby Billy's Amusement Arcade, in Bootham, said: "It was amazing - people were running into doorways to get out of the way.

"I told the disabled woman not to go near the bees, but she just put a coat over her face and drove through as fast as she could. I couldn't believe it."

Hassan Amed, manager of Tandoori Night, said: "I quickly closed the door when the swarm landed. I've never seen anything like it.

"We were very, very scared. I shouted at people in the street to keep away - it could have been very dangerous."

Mr Smith said the swarms could become a regular occurrence over the next few weeks. "If anyone sees a swarm they should stay well clear of it and contact the council immediately," he added.

Updated: 10:29 Wednesday, June 04, 2003