Strict bird flu restrictions have been put in place for the whole of England and Scotland following an increase in cases, the Government has announced.

All bird keepers, from people with pet birds to farmers with huge flocks, are now required to follow strict hygiene measures imposed by the government - and in some counties, birds must be kept indoors.

A strain of avian flu that has infected humans in the past, H5N1, have been confirmed in Scotland and England in recent weeks. The widespread effect of the outbreak has prompted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to extend protection, surveillance and mandatory housing orders across the two countries.

A national bird flu prevention zone has been declared across Scotland and England following an increase in the number of cases among wild birds and other captive birds. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been announced to minimise the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and other captive birds.