AVIAN flu prevention zones have been introduced across England after the disease was found in wild flocks in the south of the country.

The information from DEFRA tells people what they must do if they keep birds in England.

People keeping poultry must, by law, follow specific disease prevention measures.

These apply to all keepers of birds, regardless of flock size, or if birds are pets.

These are designed to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds.

Those keeping birds can continue to allow birds outdoors into fenced areas, but only if these areas meet certain conditions including:

- you have made the areas unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources

- you have taken action to reduce any existing contamination, such as cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas

- you have assessed the risk of birds coming into contact with wild birds or contamination from them

People keeping more than 500 birds must take some extra biosecurity measures.

These include identifying clearly defined areas where access by non-essential people and vehicles is restricted, and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles, equipment and footwear.

The advice was posted on Blackburn with Darwen council's website.