Fancy that: The pigeon-keeping show that won’t have... pigeons

THE UK’s biggest pigeon fancying event is to be held without any birds.

The annual British Homing World show usually attracts 15,000 visitors with displays of 1,000 show pigeons and 2,000 racing pigeons.

But the birds will not be allowed into Blackpool’s Winter Gardens at the 51st gathering this month as the venue is inside an avian flu ‘surveillance zone’, which precludes bird shows.

More than 3 million poultry were culled last year during Europe’s biggest ever outbreak of bird flu.

Show classes for the pigeons have been axed but the trade show and social events are able to go ahead, along with a livestreamed pigeon auction.

Chris Sutton, chief executive of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, said: ‘It is very disappointing because a lot of work has gone into organising the show, but we felt it was important to go ahead with the other elements.

‘The pigeon fanciers are still attending because there is the social side of it as well. There is still lots to do and it will be a successful show.’