Oil spill threat to seabirds

More than 200 seabirds have been affected by an oil spill which is spreading down the North East coast, animal welfare workers have said. The dead and injured birds - mainly sea ducks, guillemots and razorbills - have been found off Northumberland, Wearside and Teesside since the weekend. It is thought the oil came from a ship which flushed its tanks out at sea. The RSPCA, Environment Agency and Natural England are conducting an investigation into the incident. Rescue centres But a spokesman for Natural England said: "It is unlikely the source of the spill is traceable. "It is probably due to a ship which washed... [read full story]