THE 'bird man' of East Lancashire is calling on help for his 40 feathered friends.

Bill Higham, also known as Barn Owl Bill, keeps his collection of 40 birds at home in Leyland, but has found a new home in the shape of a disused wild bird centre.

But there is just one problem, the centre is so filthy and in need of repairs that Bill needs volunteers to help him get it ready.

Now he is calling on helpers from across East Lancashire to pitch in and get the centre ready for its opening, on April 9.

Bill, 40, said: "At the moment we have 40 birds at home. We just don't have room to help any others.

"We've got to our full capacity, and the wife is having to live with three barn owls in the living room!"

Bill, who lives on Southbrook Road in Leyland, is well known in East Lancashire for displaying his birds at public events.

But as well as keeping display birds, Bill takes in rescued birds and nurses them back to health. Now he has run out of room, and is moving to Turbary House, Chainhouse Lane, White Stake, Leyland.

He said: "Turbary House is a garden centre and bird of prey centre, and we are taking over the bird centre so we can get some of our birds down there.

"But we need volunteers to help get it ready because it's a mess to say the least. I don't think it has been properly cleaned for about four or five years.

"I actually wouldn't put our birds in them, the state they are in."

Bill looks after birds including Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, Bengal Eagle Owls, Kestrels, Buzzards, and a black cockerel, known as Harry, handed in from the police in Blackburn.

The new centre will allow him to put around 20 to 30 of the healthy birds on display.

He said: "Not all of the birds will be moved. Some are unable to be moved because we cannot put them on display. If they could be re-released into the wild they can't be put on display to the public.

"Any sick ones stay with us.

"We need people to help with everything. Anyone is welcome, using a rake or a shovel, and we would love to get a couple of joiners in to do some of the wood work that needs doing."

Call Bill on 01772 463221.