by Nick Lillitos

A taste of honey is causing a big buzz in the Maidstone back garden of schoolboy Jordan Whitcombe - home to his 200,000 bees.

The 15-year-old has been keeping bees for just over two years, but he's already set up five hives, each containing some 40,000 of the busy little creatures. And he's planning more.

But what sparked the interest in the then 13-year-old?

"I wanted something to do and the prospect of producing honey has turned into a bit of a passion," said Jordan who attends The Malling School.

"I love the taste of it."

Despite his young age Jordan is part of a growing army of urban beekeepers, whose ranks include BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull.

Jordan's first attempt at beekeeping did not start well. His then colony of 20,000 died from a bee disease in the winter of 2010 after he had paid £100 for a swarm.

It's estimated that some two billion honey bees in Britain may have died from the dreaded varroa mite that infects them with a virus, and Jordan's first beehive may have fallen victim to it.

"I was determined to carry on," he said, "so I bought a couple more hives and they have done well.

"It's a very fulfilling hobby. Last year I made nine jars of honey. Our family and friends say it's the best they have ever tasted."

While his 21-year-old sister Hannah helps him with the hives - "she's not scared" - mum Dawn prefers to watch the summer activity from a deckchair in the garden, before consuming the golden liquid.

Jordan will attend Hadlow College in September on a course that will teach him more about the countryside and the environment.

But before he does he plans to transform his front garden into what he described asa 'wildlife haven' - growing wild flowers there.

"They're more nectar- and pollen-rich than normal flowers, and that means more bees."