Those little jars of honey in our welcome basket are far more precious than you might think...

If you've stayed with us before, you'll probably remember the two little jars of honey in your welcome basket.

They're one of those small touches that we love, but after catching up with Chris from Westfields Honey in Fadmoor, I was reminded just how special they really are.

Chris has been keeping bees for more than 65 years and told us that this is one of the toughest periods he can remember. A very wet winter meant bees couldn't get out and forage properly, and beekeepers across the country have also been dealing with huge losses caused by wasps attacking hives.

The result is that honey is going to be much harder to come by this year, not just here on the North York Moors but across the country.

What struck me most was that despite all these challenges, demand for local honey has never been higher. It's not hard to see why when you taste it.

For us, those little jars are about much more than something sweet to drizzle on your toast. They're a little taste of the North York Moors and a reminder of the amazing local producers we're lucky to have on our doorstep.

The next time you're staying with us and enjoying your morning cuppa, spare a thought for the bees and the people who look after them. It turns out those little jars of honey are far more precious than most of us realise