NORTH Yorkshire's Chief Constable Della Cannings helped to promote a project to encourage more birds and wildlife at the force's rural headquarters.

A keen bird-watcher and wildlife enthusiast herself, Ms Cannings was joined by wildlife liaison officer PC Jim Hunter to set up a bird feeding station in the grounds of the headquarters at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton, as part of a new initiative to encourage more wildlife there. The feeding stations, together with supplies of food, have been donated by the Yorkshire Regional RSPB as part of the project, which came about because of Ms Cannings' links to wildlife organisations.

She said: "I really hope that with the kind gift of the bird feeders, and any other further work we can do, we can encourage more animals and birds into the grounds."

Andy Bunten, the RSPB's regional director, said: "The RSPB is delighted to be providing North Yorkshire Police with these bird feeders in appreciation of the role that wildlife liaison officers play in investigating wildlife crime."

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, March 20, 2003