Bird flu detected at Lancashire farm

Restrictions have been put in place around a Lancashire farm after bird flu was detected.

The H5N8 strain of avian flu was confirmed in a small backyard flock of chickens at the farm near Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire.

A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "The flock is estimated to contain around 30 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds at the premises are being humanely culled.

"A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.

"Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers."