Crufts of pigeon shows becomes no-fly zone

Next week’s British Homing World Show of the Year in Blackpool, considered the Crufts of the pigeon world, will be bird-free.

After a nearby outbreak of avian flu no birds will be allowed to enter the town’s Winter Gardens, which has hosted the event since 1977 and attracts 15,000 fanciers from across the globe.

Chris Sutton, chief executive of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, said organisers had no choice but to axe the planned bird shows featuring 1,600 racing and exhibition pigeons. Mr Sutton said they had “tried to find an alternative location for the show racer competition, but the cost was prohibitive as we run as a charity”.