Bird flu: More reports of dead birds on North East beaches

BEACH-GOERS are continuing to find dead birds on the shore amid growing concerns about avian flu.

Dead gannets and other seabirds have been spotted in growing numbers on beaches in the North East coast in recent days and weeks.

Bird flu has been confirmed in parts of Scotland and the RSPB warned last week about presumed cases of the disease elsewhere in the UK.

Concerned people have been posting pictures of the animals on social media, with one at Littlehaven, in South Tyneside on Friday and one at South Gare, in Redcar on Sunday.

On Sunday, six dead gannets were reported between Seahouses and Beadnell in Northumberland.

Several dead sea birds were also pictured at Warkworth beach over the weekend.

Dead birds have also been reported in North Yorkshire, including Bridlington.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is investigating the cause as part of its wild bird surveillance programme.