CALLS are being made to people across Dorset to protect the lives of birds of prey.

It follows a welcome decision by Defra minister Richard Benyon to rethink proposals for research into the control of buzzards.

The RSPB is now calling for people to ask the minister to issue a strong public statement that no licences will be issued to kill any bird of prey, to protect pheasants, other game birds and livestock. It comes in the wake of a huge public outcry in support of the region’s buzzards.

Tony Whitehead, of the RSPB in the South West said: “More than anything it was people power that resulted in the government’s wise change of heart last week, and they must in turn be given credit for listening. However, we now need to close the door on this matter once and for all by getting a clear and unambiguous statement from the minister saying that no licences will be issued for the killing of these much loved creatures to protect gamebirds and other livestock.

“Such a statement has already been issued in Scotland, there's no reason it can't be done here."