AT a time when Leigh families are feeding garden birds to help them through the winter, millions of song birds are being slaughtered illegally on the favourite holiday isle of Cyprus - to supply a traditional, but illegal, delicacy.

Bird trappers are breaking Cypriot law and killing birds, such as robins, within earshot of the clubs and discos of Ayia Napa, the party hot-spot much-loved by tourists.

The poor little things, migrating to the sun and meeting their doom for the sake of a titbit.

The birds are caught in fine nets and on sticky poles each spring and autumn. After having their throats cut they are prepared to form the key ingredient of the local delicacy "ambelopoulia".

Dish

The dish is widely available in restaurants and shops across the island, even though it is outlawed.

So whatever you do DON'T buy or eat it.

The RSPB is calling on the region's bird lovers to help stamp out the appalling slaughter by writing to the Cypriot authorities expressing their concern.

For goodness sake how much meat is there on a robin? Why can't they leave little things alone.

Get writing now and end this evil trade.