THE harsh, frosty weather which has hit the Yorkshire Dales this week represents a serious threat for birds – but people could save them from hunger or even death by feeding them their kitchen scraps.

The amount of food waste that the British throw away each day has become a national scandal – but could be a life-saver for birds, which quickly use up their slender fat reserves just to keep warm, particularly during frosty months.

Dave Freer from the RSPB says: “It’s amazing how much of the stuff that we just throw out of the kitchen can be fantastic food for birds. Cooked rice and potatoes are just the job, particularly mashed with added fats, and at no extra cost to us.

“Birds really need feeding at this time of year, and it’s so much better to use these kitchen scraps than cheap bird food alternatives.”