YORK'S Oscar-winning actress, Dame Judi Dench, spoke out in disgust today after learning of the planned cull of 50 Canadian geese in Rowntree Park.

Speaking from her home in Surrey todayg, she said she was outraged and appalled that the birds' lives were under threat.

She wanted to throw her weight behind a campaign to save them.

Dame Judi learnt of the proposed cull from her local swan sanctuary, Swan Lifeline Sanctuary, where her daughter has worked in the past, and which they have supported for two years.

She said: "We have had swans from the sanctuary, so it is an issue close to mine and my husband's hearts.

"When I learnt about the York geese I was outraged. Our own sanctuary has offered to re-house them and it seems extraordinary that they have received no response.

"It seems such a pity. But when help has been offered there seems no excuse."

Dame Judi has written to David Clark, chief executive of the City of York Council, appealing for a reprieve.

She said: "I desperately hope that City of York Council will change its mind and decide to act in a compassionate manner towards its wildlife instead of showing such a lack of understanding towards it."

The death of the birds by lethal injection was approved by the leisure services committee last December. A petition signed by 80 people had claimed geese droppings were creating a health hazard in the park.

A spokeswoman said the council had agreed to look into issues raised by Dame Judi Dench and York Animal Aid.

She added: "The cull will not go ahead until these issues are resolved."