Dog walkers are being asked to treat a beach in Cumbria more carefully to protect endangered birds in the area.

Millom Town Council said that new signs had been erected by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) on Haverigg Beach, which are asking people to keep their dogs on leads to 'minimise disturbance at a crucial time of year'.

This temporary measure is part of a trial to try and find 'optimal methods' to look after beach-nesting birds during the summer in the UK by exploring ways to allow dog walkers and birds to co-exist.

A council spokesperson added: "These signs are only intended for deployment during the bird breeding season and will be taken down by September 6.

"They only cover a tiny section of beach that runs adjacent to a section that has the potential to be prime nesting territory for endangered ground-nesting birds and has played host to some this year.

"These signs should therefore only represent a small and temporary inconvenience, and the RSPB hopes that the people of Millom and Haverigg will be understanding of their endeavours."