An update has been given after a bird flu outbreak forced a lake at an Oldham park to close.

Oldham Council has announced today (Sunday) that the boating lake at Alexandra Park remains closed to all activity until further notice.

The virus was confirmed at the park by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on Tuesday (February 7) after several dead birds were found.

Posting on social media today, the council urged visitors to not feed any birds and report any dead or sick birds to park staff.

Parkgoers have also been warned to not touch any sick or dead birds, feathers, or surfaces contaminated with bird droppings.

Dog owners have meanwhile been asked to keep their dogs on leads near the water and stick to the footpaths.

Those who own birds have been told to wash their hands and clean and disinfect their footwear before tending to their birds.

Commenting on the outbreak on Tuesday, Hannah Roberts, Oldham Council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "This is sad news as the birds in Alexandra Park are popular with visitors.

"The UK is currently facing its largest ever outbreak of avian flu with cases reported across the country.

"Avian flu has nothing to do with water quality or the environment and poses a low risk to humans.

"Anyone who keeps birds must, by law, keep them housed and follow strict bio-security measures."