A bee hive has been destroyed after an outbreak of an untreatable disease that kills off larva was found in Perthshire.

The highly contagious and hard to eradicate American Foulbrood disease was confirmed among honeybees at the apiary after tests carried out at a Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture laboratory.

The infected hive has been destroyed as there is no permitted treatment for the disease in the UK.

There are no risks to public health from disease and no implications for the quality and safety of honey.

The movement of bees and related equipment into or out of the affected apiary near Ballinluig is currently banned.

Scottish Government bee inspectors will be carrying out an examination of the apiaries in the area in coming days.

Beekeepers are urged to check their hives and email any suspicion of disease to beesmailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.