Bird show off over bird flu

Walsall pigeon fanciers have been left devastated at having to cancel a fundraising show tomorrow because of bird flu.

Bentley West Pigeon Club has had to axe the open show which was due to be held at The Social Club, Leamore, where members meet fortnightly with prize birds.

The club was only set up this year and organisers hoped the open show would give boost its coffers but officials were contacted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs days ago and told it could not go ahead because of the avian flu outbreak on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

Club secretary Michael Tift said: "It's bad news for everyone. We just want people to know its been cancelled in case they turn up disappointed." The news comes days after next month's The Poultry Show at Stafford 'sCounty showground was cancelled.