Swans in the North get bird flu all-clear

Tests for bird flu on six dead swans in Northern Ireland have proved negative, it was announced tonight.

Four carcasses recovered in Portglenone, Co Antrim and two in Moira, Co Down were checked for H5N1 and given the all clear.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said they had been given the all-clear after being tested at its Belfast headquarters .

Concerns about the birds had intensified following the confirmation of a case of H5N1 in a swan found in Scotland yesterday.