SHERDLEY Park's Pets Corner could lose its popular birds of prey following the introduction of new legislation.

The birds currently attract visitors from throughout the borough, but under new laws St Helens Council would have to apply for a zoo licence to keep them at the park.

Now, Liberal Democrat councillor John Beirne has lent his support to a campaign to keep the birds of prey at the park and plans to present a 1,000-name petition to the council meeting which will decide their fate.

Councillor Beirne, who represents Marshalls Cross, told the Star: "As far as I am aware, a zoo licence will not cost the council anything and new laws state that any organisation displaying birds of prey, need to have the licence. So if they decide not to have one, the birds, which people come from all over St Helens to see, will be taken away by the RSPCA and that would be a great shame."

But St Helens Council leader Mike Doyle commented: "It seems late in the day for Councillor Beirne to become involved as an officer's report has already been written in readiness for the Leisure Committee meeting on October 2 dealing with the need to have a zoo licence.

"I would like to re-iterate the council's total commitment to Pets Corner and the animals there. We have always listened and acted constructively to any comments about the site and I have been in communication with several people over a number of months.

"There are regular visits by RSPCA officials to check on the well-being of the animals and last year, following some concerns, we commissioned an independent report from a vet who praised the running of the site and its suitability for the animals housed there."

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