Hounslow residents who own birds must move them indoors by Monday following a decision by the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer.

National regulation introduced to combat the largest ever outbreak of avian influenza seen in the UK makes mandatory the housing of all poultry and captive birds.

The measure already in force in "hot spot" areas of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex comes as wild birds were found dead in west London with suspected bird flu.

The United Kingdom's Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: "We are now facing this year, the largest ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England.

"This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease."

Hounslow Council today notified residents of the stringent biosecutiry measures that come into law from 00:01 on Monday, November 7.

Find more information on the Avian Influenza outbreak.