HANDS off -- that's the message to well-meaning East Lancashire people who think they're helping by handling baby birds this spring and summer.

The warning comes from the RSPCA in the North West who are aiming to prevent thousands of baby birds being handled unnecessarily by concerned but misguided people.

Between April and July each year the charity is called to rescue or care for about 20,000 fledglings nationally.

And as part of the RSPCA's education campaign 37,000 copies of their poster "Do me a favour -- don't touch" have been sent to schools in the area, with leaflets and posters also distributed to libraries, and vets.

The RSPCA says humans interfering with the young birds lessen their chances of survival causing extreme stress by handling and severe harm through being fed an inappropriate diet.

Young garden birds usually leave the nest two weeks after hatching and, during this vulnerable period of their lives, they are fed on the ground by their parents.

Such fledglings, discovered by members of the public, are mistakenly thought to be injured or abandoned and subsequently moved from their natural habitat.

Tim Thomas, RSPCA senior scientific officer, said: "We are urging people to think carefully before coming to the rescue.

"Unless it is injured, in immediate danger, or orphaned, the fledgling has a much higher chance of survival if left in the wild."

The RSPCA helpline number if 0870 55 55 999.