THE last-minute discovery of nesting sparrows means Worcester's historic pavilion cannot be demolished until the birds leave in the autumn.

Demolition workmen had already started work on the 130-year-old building at the Cinderella Ground yesterday morning when, in a dramatic twist, Worcester City Council landscape officer Chris Dobbs rushed from his office to present a fax from Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy.

The floorboards had already been stripped and the landmark clock removed but in the end, after weeks of campaigning by politicians, historians and cricketers, it was the humble house sparrow that saved the day.

Police officers at the scene read the fax and informed the developers that, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it was illegal to disturb birds' nests.

The work was stopped and it means the council will now have until the sparrows fly the nest, usually in September, to persuade SJS Property Management and landowner Kays not to knock down the building, off Bransford Road, St John's.

Horrified Worcester people became angry at the prospect of the demolition, particularly because there are no plans to build on the playing fields. An application from SJS to put up houses on an adjacent site is subject to an appeal after the council refused permission.

Mr Dobbs said: "We advised the developers there were birds nesting and so they are not allowed to continue. House sparrows are the ones you hear chirping all the time in the garden, but they are becoming much rarer."

Council conservation officer Jim Blackwell had spent the morning making sketches and diagrams of the pavilion in case it was demolished and then needed to be rebuilt.

But he was relieved they were not needed, and with the planning appeal coming up next month on the adjacent factory site, there could be room for compromise.

He said: "Now we know it's protected because of wildlife it means we can have an open discussion and perhaps come to some agreement."

City councillor David Clark, who spearheaded the campaign to save the pavilion, said he would use the next three months to shame Kays into keeping the building.

Worcester MP Mike Foster, who spent Tuesday negotiating with the developers, said: "Kays had a reputation of looking after its staff and had a close association with the city but it's not a Worcester company any more. It is looking to make cash from its assets. The whole thing has left a bad taste in the mouth."

SJS said the decision to demolish was taken after detailed surveys revealed major structural defects and the presence of asbestos.