A WILDLIFE sanctuary which is a vital breeding ground site for rare seabirds has been given extra international protection.

The special protection area at Hamford Water, at Walton, has been expanded by more than five square miles.

The move will safeguard feeding sites for little terns, which have seen a 20 per cent decline in numbers in the UK over the past two decades.

Hamford Water is also a nationally important site for avocet, brent goose, black-tailed godwit, redshank, ringed plover, shelduck, teal and grey plover.

Today’s announcement to safeguard little terns' feeding areas comes on top of existing protection of their nesting sites in the area.

Helen Ward, of Natural England, said: “This designation – and the protection it affords our iconic and beautiful seabirds – is an important step in protecting the Essex coast for generations to come."

Hamford Water has the 13th largest colony of little terns in the country, with 78 birds.

Earlier this year a project was launched to hide their nests under roof tiles to prevent eggs being attacked by hungry gulls.

The scheme was hailed a success with more than 30 occupied nests.

RSPB conservation officer Mark Nowers said: “The estuary is one of the most important sites in Europe for breeding little terns in the summer, but it is also vulnerable and in need of protection and careful management.

“The extension of the Hamford Water special protection area to cover foraging areas in the sea off the coast where little terns feed is a really positive step and will help make sure these threatened seabirds can continue to thrive here.”