CASES of avian flu have been detected in Brighton and Hove, it has been confirmed.

Three herring gulls were confirmed to have tested positive for bird flu in a test conducted last week by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

A spokesman for Brighton Marina confirmed that the cases came from the area.

He said: “We have received information from the Brighton and Hove City Council emergency planning department that APHA have confirmed cases of avian flu in dead birds from the Marina area.”

He also confirmed that the Marina is following advice given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on precautions to take

The news comes after roughly ten seagulls were found dead around the Marina earlier this month, with further reports of dead gulls in Roedean and in East Brighton Park.

A three-kilometre protection zone and ten-kilometre surveillance zone was set up last week after a case of bird flu was detected in north Bexhill.

Birds on the premises of the Bexhill case were humanely culled by Defra.

A Defra spokeswoman said the department is not able to comment on individual reports.

Brighton and Hove City Council have been contacted for comment.

More as we have it.