GARDENERS in Ludlow and south Shropshire as well as in Tenbury and the Teme Valley are being warned by police that cutting back hedges could get them in trouble with the law.

West Mercia Police is urging people to delay hedge-cutting during the bird-nesting or breeding season.

Cutting back between April and August should be avoided as nearly every hedgerow in the country will have birds breeding in it during this time.

All wild birds, their young, their eggs and active nests, are protected under law, the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. It is an offence to damage a nest intentionally while it is in use, or being built and hedge-cutting is highly likely to damage nests, injure or kill chicks, or cause nests to be deserted.

It comes after reports were made across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire from people concerned about trees and hedges being cut back where birds are nesting.

Destruction of nests can result in an unlimited fine and or up to six months in prison.

"This can be a problem at this time of year as the nesting season runs from between April and August,” said wildlife crime officer PC Paul Frank.

This isn't about police and partner agencies targeting farmers and people who want to keep their land and gardens tidy, it’s about protecting wildlife, their future and natural habitat.

"Wild birds, including species in serious decline including song thrush and house sparrow, will often nest in hedges. Their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).

"It is illegal to intentionally use any method to injure or kill wild birds or to take, damage or destroy their nests while the nest is in use or being built.

"Anyone spotting a nest in a hedge or elsewhere should leave it alone and allow the parents to rear their young. Any work on the hedge or building, for example, is best carried out in autumn or winter, or after checking that the chicks have flown and there are no longer any active nests."