BIRD flu may be back - but fears of a disastrous Easter at Abbotsbury Swannery have been quashed.

Swannery boss John Houston has been told he could re-open the popular tourist attraction at any time despite the return of strict control zone measures in Dorset.

Government experts have ruled that the stringent movement restrictions are solely in place to protect poultry from the virus.

Mr Houston said this means he could open the swannery to visitors tomorrow if he chose.

In the next few days, owners the Ilchester Estate will make a decision on whether to open the attraction for business as usual on March 15.

Swannery boss John Houston said: "It's not quite the terrible news we thought.

"We've been told the control zone is in place to protect poultry and not people and they've given us the green light.

"If we do open it's only because Defra and the Health Protection Agency have told us it's safe to do so.

"They are now advising us there's no risk for people going to the swannery."

Knowledge gained by Defra scientists since bird flu broke out in the county is behind that decision, Mr Houston said.

He added: "On the face of it we may be back to square one, but things have changed a lot since January 7 and Defra has learnt a lot about this.

"They are saying this is a bird disease and poses no concern for the public."

Footpaths around the Fleet will remain open to walkers as part of the 3km control zone but poultry or captive bird movements are still banned without a licence.

The infected Canada goose found on February 25 was discovered in a field near to one of the swannery's entrances.

The dead bird, which tested positive for the lethal strain of H5N1 on Friday, was the 11th bird to be found with the virus on the day the existing control zone was due to be lifted.

Mr Houston said: "This Canada goose jumped in and ruined the party.

"But the advice Defra has given us is an interesting development because it's made us feel much more relaxed and shows the confidence they have in the birds building up immunity to the disease.

"We are not going to get too excited or over-confident, as the situation can change - but there is light at the end of the tunnel."