A HORWICH beekeeper has seen his stock clear in record time - as customers look to natural remedies for ailments ahead of cold and flu season.

Derek Cartwright has more than 1.5 million bees in 30 hives across several apiaries - all of which produce honey.

Usually selling out his stock in four to six weeks from the end of the season in which he produces it, Derek has seen his brand Horwich Honey sell out in less than three.

Derek, who has been a beekeeper for some 30 years, said: "My honey is raw, which means it hasn't been pasteurised or heat treated in any way. It is just taken out of the hive, spun, settled and filtered into jars.

"Because it hasn't been heat treated, it naturally contains anti-toxins and qualities which can help with a range of problems. It's anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, so neither of those things grow in it.

"Some people think that local honey is better for local people and they will buy it to use all year round."

Honey is regularly used to sooth sore throats and the NHS even use medical-grade versions of the substance to treat wounds.

Research by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England (PHE) has indeed found that honey can ease coughing, easing symptoms of the cause.

Derek has even seen his honey requested by former residents who now live abroad - sending his product to Australia and Alicante.

The honey he sells can often be different colours, depending on where the bees have foraged and got their pollen from - leading him to sell hyper-local products for the Ridgmont and Red Moss areas.

He added: "I have had to ration it at times. There have been queues at the shops and I have even seen people walk down the street with jars in their hands. People have seen the benefits of it - it is natural and more local and lasts for years."

More information about Horwich Honey can be found here: horwichhoney.com.