Spare a thought for the birds

Rachel Stanhope, Selby District Council's countryside officer, is helping to protect Britain's wild birds which have been suffering during the sub-zero temperatures.

She will be at an event on Saturday organised by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to make “birds cakes” out of lard and bird seed, as well as building bird boxes to provide shelter during the spring and the breeding season.

Concerns have been mounting over the welfare of wildlife after the nation has endured the coldest spell for nearly 30 years this winter.