CUMBRIAN free-range poultry producers may be forced to keep their poultry indoors amid a growing threat from deadly bird flu.

It is feared Defra is set to announce a poultry housing order after a further outbreak of Avian Influenza was discovered at a turkey farm at Northallerton, North Yorkshire on November 29.

This comes after Defra imposed a country-wide prevention zone as cases grew in wild birds and commercial flocks.

Just days ago a spate of swan deaths across the UK were reportedly being investigated amid concerns they could be connected to the wave of avian flu from Europe. Defra has appealed to the public to report sightings of dead birds.

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has told Sky News she is very worried about the development.“My concern level is really high,” Christine Middlemiss says.

The “sheer volume of infections” of Avian flu is concerning she adds, meaning “we potentially have a lot of risk out there”.The last time she was this worried was back in 2016/17 during the last big Avian flu outbreak. That was the last time they saw “such a high level of infection”.

In February 2017 bird flu was confirmed among a small flock of chickens at a farm near Haltwhistle.

Local vets and the National Farmers Union have urged urge all poultry keepers, including members of the public with pet birds, a backyard flock or smallholding, to continue practising enhanced biosecurity at all times.“It’s crucial everyone remains vigilant and reports any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity," said David McCrea, of Capontree Veterinary Practice at Brampton.