A harbour in Sussex has been identified as a potential weak spot in the fight against bird flu.

Chichester Harbour is a major landing strip for birds flying in and out of Britain and is often home to more than 40,000 geese, ducks and birds.

Its large expanse of water and desolate shores make it ideal for birds resting in the winter and breeding in the spring.

As a result Defra, the Government rural affairs agency has identified the harbour as a potential soft spot in the defence against bird flu.

A spokesman said: "Anywhere that has large numbers of migratory birds is a potential soft spot. Chichester Harbour is one of the biggest in Sussex so there is little doubt it is a risk.

Chichester Harbour Conservancy has issued strongly-worded advice on what to do should dead birds be found.

It said any carcasses should not behandled and Defra should be alerted on 08459 335577.

The advice, published on conservancy.co.uk, says: "Birds die all the time for all sorts of reasons and you are likely to come across them from time to time."

Defra adds: "Do not touch any dead birds or any other animals that you find."