Poultry to be culled after bird flu identified

All birds at the site will be humanely culled (generic image)

Bird flu has been confirmed in commercial poultry in Worcestershire.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the H5N1 virus was found in birds near Hallow on Saturday.

A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone and 10km (6-mile) surveillance zone has been declared around the premises.

Defra added all poultry on the premises would be humanely culled.

The virus spreads through contaminated feed and water or bird droppings and saliva.

From Thursday, Defra introduced strict measures in an "avian influenza prevention zone" across Great Britain.

The measures have been put in place for keepers with more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products.

Two Hoots Rescue, which takes in livestock, birds and poultry near the site where bird flu was found, said it would not be accepting any birds until further notice.

Earlier this week, a farmer from Great Witley, Worcestershire, who produces turkey and geese for Christmas said the threat posed by the spread of bird flu was "a continual worry".