Poultry and captive bird owners in South Cambs have been asked to keep their birds inside from Monday, November 7 as the country faces an outbreak of avian flu.

Following restrictions already in force for Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, avian flu has now been found in some areas of Cambridgeshire.

South Cambs District Council is urging bird keepers in the district to keep their birds in lockdown and use strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

The lockdown housing measures require bird owners to ensure their birds are indoors, to keep the number of people entering the bird enclosure to a minimum and use specific footwear that can be cleaned before and after entering the enclosure.

Cllr Brian Milnes, lead cabinet member for the Environment, said: "Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways from wild birds remain the best form of defence.

"Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from Monday, November 7 onwards you must keep yours indoors.

"This is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease."

Failure to comply with these measures, which have been set out by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, could result in a fine.