BRITISH NEWSPAPERS BLAST 'DON'T PANIC!' FROM THEIR FRONT PAGES

DEAD SWANS FOUND ACROSS BRITAIN

FRANCE CONFIRMS DUCKS DIED OF BIRD FLU

At least nine dead swans are now being tested in the UK for the bird flu virus. The dead birds were found in five different locations across the UK.

This news is causing major fear creep in Britain, particularly as in the same dramatic news breaks that announced the discovery, France was confirmed as having found its first deads birds infected with the virus.

The Blair government claims it is prepared for a bird flu outbreak in poultry farms and amongst birds in the wild.

But critics there argue that far more energy, money and resources have been expended on setting up contingencies and emergency plans for a human pandemic, which is far less likely than dozens of UK poultry farms being devastated by the virus.

The dead swans were found and reported by members of the public in Winchester, Preston, Shrewsbury, Thirsk, Hertfordshire and Bury St Edmonds. The British government sent up a helpline for people to report these kind of discoveries.

The British Veterinary Association said the heightened awareness of avian flu meant anybody finding a dead bird is likely to report it.

"A one-off dead bird isn't necessarily something to worry about," a spokesman for the British Veterinary Association told the media.

"But if you come across several, that's more serious."