Southport’s Botanic Gardens Aviaries - home to a range of exotic birds such as parrots and parakeets as well as rabbits and guinea pigs - are set to undergo further repair works this month.

Last year, Sefton Council refurbished the parakeet aviary and the guinea pig area. Now further works work will take place to repair and improve the infrastructure that houses the animals to ensure the aviary remains fit for purpose.

The Council’s Green Sefton team works in partnership with the Botanic Gardens Community Association (BGCA) to maintain the aviary. The BGCA has raised £8,000 to support the works, which will include new and improved flooring, roofing and drainage.

The aviary closed to the public in December, in line with national restrictions for an on-going avian flu outbreak and remains closed under national lockdown guidance. The birds and animals remain at the aviary, but for safety are being kept in their indoor accommodation during the outbreak and while the aviary undergoes repair works.

The aviary will reopen to the public after the completion of the works and dependent on the latest government advice on both the avian flu and coronavirus restrictions.