Bird flu has been confirmed at a beauty spot in Swindon, the government has said.

Concerns rose after a number of swans and Canadian geese started dying at Shaftesbury Lake, leading to signs being put up in the area warning of suspected avian influenza and encouraging locals to take care. 

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) attended to take samples for testing, and park rangers from Swindon Borough Council have collected the carcasses of several birds either laying dead around the lake or floating in the water.

READ MORE: Shaftesbury Lake 'bird flu outbreak': Questions answered as fears mount

DEFRA has now confirmed that the area has been hit by an outbreak, although it was not able to confirm how many cases were found or how many of the deaths were caused by it, at least until the official Gov.uk figures are updated. 

An Animal and Plant Health Agency spokesperson said: “We are aware of a number of wild bird deaths in the Swindon area and waterfowl collected from the area have been found positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.”

This strain has also been confirmed at a premises in nearby Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

It is the first bird flu case in Swindon since April.

The diverse wildlife at Shaftesbury Lake has become very popular with members of the public, with Parish Councils holding 'Wildlife Days' there. 

Earlier this year the public rallied to protect a family of nesting swans who had set up a nest close to a pavement used by members of the public and dog walkers. An outcry was also caused by children throwing objects at the nest on at least two occasions. 

Co-founder of the Friends of Shafestbury Lake volunteer group Gail Collins said: "It's such a sad time for our lovely lake."

The UK finds itself in the middle of the worst and longest outbreak ever on record, with infections continuing beyond the normal winter period.

During the current outbreak, over 1,500 wild birds have returned positive results from over 360 locations and 61 different species.

Defra Biosecurity Minister Lord Benyon said: "Our wild birds are facing exceptional pressures from avian flu this year and we have seen the tragic effect it has had – particularly on our seabird colonies. 

"I very much share concerns about the impact avian influenza is likely to have on breeding populations of wild birds in the future, particularly those that nest in large numbers and represent some of our rarer and much-loved species."