Poultry to be culled after bird flu discovered

Defra said bird flu had been found at two premises near Durham

A cull is to be carried out at two sites after cases of bird flu were confirmed.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said cases of avian influenza had been found at two premises near Blaydon and Consett in Durham.

It said captive birds and poultry at the sites would be culled.

A two-mile (3km) protection zone, which means all poultry and captive birds in the area must be housed, has also been put in place.

A six-mile (10km) surveillance zone has also been put in force.

This means a record must be kept of all poultry and eggs which leave or enter premises within the zone.

The world's first case of a sheep having bird flu was discovered at a Yorkshire farm earlier this week.