THERE is more risk of avian flu spreading through wild birds than chickens according to the National Farmers Union.

Ian Johnson, a spokesman for the south west branch of the NFU, said while poultry farmers were naturally concerned about the threat of the disease after an infected swan was found in Scotland, they were "prepared and prudent but not panicky".

He told the Wiltshire Times: "This is a disease that affects anything that has feathers and there are an awful lot more birds than chickens. "The chickens are in a controlled environment even if they are free range whereas nobody has control over wild birds.

"Of course it is of concern to farmers but they are well versed in what they should be doing to prevent a spread of bird flu.

"The bird in Scotland is probably further away from us than ones in Holland so we must keep it in perspective." Mr Johnson said farmers were more concerned about the commercial impact the scare would cause, but reassured the public there was little chance of catching a human form of the virus through eating poultry products.

He said: "One thing all experts agree on is even if you had cooked and eaten part of the swan the virus is not robust enough and would be destroyed by cooking. "The only problem is where people have contact with a dead or dying bird that may have the disease."

Supermarket chains Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons have all reported no significant change to poultry meat or egg sales since the dead swan was found last week.

Chairman of the NFU poultry board Charles Bourns said: "This is fantastic news. It is great the British public has realised this is a disease of birds and not of humans. "We are extremely grateful the public is continuing to eat British chicken and eggs.

"It is important people carry on supporting the poultry industry if they stop the industry will be devastated. If they carry on we will get through this."