A BIRD charity is urging people to look after their bird attractions this Winter.

The RSPB is urging people to keep their bird tables, feeders, and water baths in order to help garden birds stay healthy.

With the weather getting colder and larger numbers of birds visiting our gardens for food and fresh, unfrozen water, it is easier for diseases to spread.

Wild birds in gardens are susceptible to a variety of diseases, such as certain strains of salmonella and the diseases can spread very quickly if droppings are allowed to mix with uneaten food.

Tips include using smooth feeders with no corners that can trap food or dirt, using more than one feeding site to reduce the number of birds in one place, and cleaning and disinfecting feeders and water baths regularly.

The charity is monitoring garden bird disease as part of the Garden Bird Health Initiative, for more information visit rspb.org.uk/advice