TWO more dead swans have been found along the Fleet after the bird flu outbreak. But staff at Abbotsbury Swannery say there is no cause for alarm.

Meanwhile the discovery of the deadly bird flu virus in Dorset will hit the local economy, according to experts. Poultry farmers, commercial game shoots and rural tourism could all be affected.

Poultry farmers, commercial game shoots and rural tourism could all be affected.

South West director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) John Mortimer said: "News of H5N1 in migratory wildfowl is the outbreak we feared the most.

"We are working closely with Defra to keep in touch with the situations and any developments and we are contacting all our members in the area advising them that control areas and monitoring areas have been officially declared and explaining the consequences of those orders.

"We are advising members to be extremely vigilant and to observe strict biosecurity controls."

Three mute swans found dead at the Abbotsbury swannery near Weymouth were on Thursday (January 10) confirmed to have had the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.

In the monitoring area there will be restrictions on the movement of poultry, captive birds and hatching eggs except under licence and increased biosecurity measures for premises, people and vehicles.

The news will particularly affect any shoots within the zones as the order bans game bird shooting.

Mr Mortimer added: "Shooting represents a significant income stream for many farms and estates so this ban will have a serious economic impact on the area.

"The shooting season closes on February 1 and as the restrictions will be in place in the 10km monitoring area for 30 days. It effectively means shooting has finished in that area."

Defra's restrictions cover the area around Abbotsbury, including Chesil Beach and Portland Bill.

Within the zone, anyone keeping birds has to make sure they are housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds. Movements of kept birds are also restricted.

Defra is working closely with wildlife experts to consider whether further measures may need to be taken. The local wild bird population is being monitored, but culling has been ruled out because it could disperse birds further away.

John Houston, general manager of Abbotsbury tourism, said the dead swans had been found by a member of staff at the swannery, a reserve for free flying swans and other wild birds in a fleet behind Chesil Beach.

"Our main concern is the welfare of the swans, our staff and the general public. We are working closely with Defra to ensure that this outbreak is contained and that the number of swans affected is limited," he said.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency said antiviral drugs and seasonal flu vaccine was being offered to people who had been in close contact with the infected swans.

He stressed: "The current level of risk to humans from avian flu is extremely low and there is no need for local residents to restrict or change their everyday activity."

RSPB Dorset spokeswoman Sophie Atherton said the organisation was stepping up surveillance of wild birds on wetland reserves, not only in Dorset, but also in Somerset and Devon.

She said: "We don't know how this virus arrived in Dorset, but it's unlikely to have involved mute swans directly, because that population is sedentary. All we can do is watch, wait and be vigilant. The public can help by keeping their eyes open, being sensible and not touching any wild birds."

Anyone who sees three or more dead or sick birds of the same species, or five of different species, in the same place should ring Defra on 08459 33 55 77.

Records of Abbotsbury Swannery go back to 1354 and it has been under the stewardship of the Ilchester Estates since 1541. The attraction, which had been due to reopen on March 15, is especially popular in late spring, when hundreds of cygnets hatch.