Around 100 pigeons were lost as a result of a shed fire in Bidston yesterday, emergency services have said.

Mersey Fire & Rescue were called to a property on Worcester Road at around quarter to one yesterday afternoon after a blaze that started in one shed spread across several neighbouring outhouses.

Five fire engines were rushed to the scene, eventually bringing the allotment building blaze under control after splitting the task into three sections.

But a statement from Mersey Fire & Rescue said: "Sadly, it is believed up to a hundred pigeons perished or escaped the coop as a result of this fire."

Residents nearby were warned to keep doors and windows closed and medicines nearby while firefighters got the frightening situation under control.

It has not yet been established how the fire was started, but it is understood that it is not believed to be a result of criminal activity.