THESE baby birds had to be rescued after they set up home in a shop in York city centre.

Roly’s Fudge Pantry in Shambles was closed during lockdown and when staff returned earlier this month to start making their sweets they came across the squabs - the word for a baby pigeon - in a store room.

They monitored the birds for 48 hours but as there was no sign of their mother they called the RSPCA for help.

Animal rescuer, inspector Claire Mitchell was sent to the scene, and was able to safely capture the babies.

The pigeons are now been cared for by staff at the York Harrogate and district branch of the RSPCA where they will be fed and cared for until they are strong enough to return to the wild

Claire said: “The birds were juveniles and had been spotted by staff in an outside store room when they returned to work after lockdown.

“As they could not see the mother around they called us for help and they are now being cared for at the York branch where they will be syringe fed for a time.

“Once they are strong enough they will then be released back into the wild.”

The charity asks members of the public concerned about fledgling birds to leave them alone and monitor from a distance as the parents are usually nearby and will still be feeding the birds.

However, Claire said that in this instance the pigeon's parents had not been spotted when staff monitored the situation and called the RSPCA as there were concerns for their health.

Advice on what to do if you are concerned about a baby bird is available on the RSPCA website.