CUMBRIA Wildlife Trust has asked people still polishing off the last of the Christmas chocs and treats to spare a thought for hungry wild birds.

The charity is urging people to put food out in their gardens and help save the lives of thousands of birds.

CWT spokeswoman Charlotte Rowley explained that there were as many as 100 species of bird in the British garden. The most common are wrens, blue and great tits, starlings, blackbirds, robins, greenfinches and collared doves - all of them competing against each other for food.

But before the days start to grow longer, and while temperatures keep dropping to freezing, the birds are faced with the challenge of increasing their fat stores while having fewer daylight hours to survive.

Miss Rowley said: "To survive winter, small birds such as the blue tit, must eat a quarter of their body weight in food each day. For larger birds such as blackbirds, starlings and song thrushes that feed on insects, food found easily in the summer can be cut off as frost seals the ground.

"Herons feed on fish that are often closed off by ice, and by leaves clogging up the surface of ponds. Birds that feed in trees and bushes may struggle with the stronger winds, expending more energy to collect less food than in the spring and summer."

Clean water is also essential for drinking and bathing and most birds will need to drink at least twice a day.

"Nut feeders should be hung around the garden and food placed on bird tables, under bushes and on the lawn. Provide good quality bird food, like black sunflower seed, premium peanuts and sunflower hearts in hanging feeders. These will attract finches, tits and sparrows," said Miss Rowley.

"Putting out high protein foods and fat are important for energy and to keep warm. You can leave out left over food such as bacon rinds or hard cheese. Alternatively hang out a fat feeder or make your own from suet."