On Monday 2nd November, an avian influenza outbreak was confirmed at a broiler breeder farm in the Dunham-on-the-Hill area, near Helsby.

To prevent the disease from spreading, 13,000 birds at the farm were 'humanely culled', and a temporary 3km prevention zone relating to birds or poultry was put in place around the site.

In support of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Cheshire West and Chester Council are now carrying out visits to residents within the control zone radius as well as to any premises that are registered as keeping birds or poultry.

These visits are aimed at alerting residents to the situation, establishing whether there are birds at the address and providing support and guidance where required.

In a statement, Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "Public Health England has confirmed the risk to public health from the virus is very low.

"Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat."