Yesterday (Monday 2nd November), it was confirmed that avian influenza - or bird flu - had been found at a premises near Frodsham.

All 13,000 birds at the farm, which produces hatching eggs, will be humanely culled to prevent the disease, which is of the H5N8 strain, from spreading.

3km and 10km temporary control zones have also been put in place around the site.

Further testing is taking place to determine whether this is a highly pathogenic strain of the influenza, and whether it is related to the virus currently circulating in Europe.

However, Public Health England (PHE) assured that the risk to the public was "very low," and a Food Standards Agency spokesperson said that "properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat."

PHE's Dr Gavin Dabrera, Consultant in Acute Respiratory Infections, said: "There have never been any confirmed cases of H5N8 in humans and the risk to public health is considered very low."

Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: "Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.

"We are urgently looking for any evidence of disease spread associated with this farm to control and eliminate it."

An investigation into the most likely source of the outbreak is now underway. It is possible that wild birds migrating from Europe could have spread the disease to the captive birds.