A group of islands that make up one of the UK’s most important bird sanctuaries are to remain closed after new cases of avian flu were detected.
The disease devastated the seabird population of the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland, last year and National Trust rangers expect thousands more deaths this year.
The discovery of three new cases led to the announcement, on Tuesday, that the islands will be off limits until the end of August when the breeding season comes to an end.
The popular sail-round tours of the islands offered by local boat operators will continue.
