DEAD swans have been found at a Herefordshire nature reserve, believed to have been killed by bird flu.

Bodenham Lake, run by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, said avian flu "poses a real risk to our wild birds" after two mute swans were found dead.

The trust said it suspects the deaths were as a result of bird flu, which has been linked to the death of swans in other parts of the UK this winter.

A spokesperson said on Tuesday: "Avian flu poses a real risk to our wild birds. Two dead mute swans have been found at Bodenham Lake nature reserve, we suspect from avian flu.

"If you see a dead bird at Bodenham Lake please let us know straight away."

The site, between Hereford and Leominster, is an important overwintering and breeding area for birds and other aquatic wildlife, the trust said. and more than 160 species of birds have been spotted there.

The news comes after chief veterinary officers for England, Scotland and Wales agreed to bring in new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK.

The new housing measures, which came into force in December, mean it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

The flu spreads between birds by direct contact or through contaminated bodily fluids, and can also be spread by contaminated feed, water, or by dirty clothing and footwear.

Public Health England said the risk to the public from the H5N8 strain, is "very low", and food standards agencies have said it does not affect the consumption of poultry products.

In December, at least 60 of 300 Worcester swans died of Avian flu, according to a volunteer group which looks after the birds.