Following continued investigations it has not been possible to rule out the presence of disease in farmed birds at a further linked premises in the area close to Wyre in Lancashire.

In order to contain the possible spread of disease, the Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens has today (30 January) confirmed that proactive culling of 63,000 birds, including pheasants, partridges and ducks, will take place.

The premises will then be cleansed and disinfected, further reducing the risk that disease can be spread to other birds.

Our investigations will continue and the restrictions already placed on the sites will remain in force until cleansing and disinfection is finished and the investigation is complete.

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.

Continuing investigations and positive test results have now confirmed the presence of H5N8 avian flu at the linked premises.