A WALSHAW hairdresser is high in the pecking order when it comes to bird protection.

For Eric Howarth (55), of Church Street, has been awarded a silver long service award by The Bolton and Bury Group of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds.

He has served on the group's committee for ten years and is joint organiser of all the outdoor programmes. Eric, a hairdresser for 38 years, loves his job but his main interest is protecting birds.

He said: "It's good to be recognised and appreciated, although I am one of many in an organisation which does good work protecting birds. I help to organise outdoor trips, taking people on bird watching walks to bird reserves and lakes.

"About 20-35 people come on these trips. Most are members but they don't have to be.

"I also help with indoor meetings where we have a slide show and my wife helps out by selling Christmas cards and calendars."

Eric, married for 33 years, has two grown-up children.