Bees are dying out in Britain with numbers plummeting in some areas. The Co-operative says numbers have declined by up to 30 per cent in recent years.

The knock-on effect for the cosmetics industry is that the availability of beeswax may be squeezed. Beeswax is used in thousands of beauty products as a thickener, emulsifier, and stiffing agent.

To protect the bee population and therefore beeswax supplies, the Co-operative has launched Plan Bee, a campaign to encourage people to do what they can to save the bee. Suggested activities include gardening and beekeeping.