Winterwatch's Chris Packham says cleaner ways of feeding birds may cut risk of disease

FEEDING birds in your garden could actually harm their health, Chris Packham has warned.

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Alongside the RSPB, the wildlife presenter cautioned gardeners about diseases such as trichomonosis spreading via flat bird feeders, and recommends switching to hanging ones and regular cleaning as a way to lessen the effect.

But advising people to stop feeding birds altogether may not be warranted.

Chris, 64, explained: "We know these diseases are a real problem but equally we know that by feeding the birds we are supplementing a diet which they're struggling to satisfy because of problems in the wider countryside.