THE age-old tradition of throwing bread to ducks, enjoyed by generations of families, has been stopped at a Worcester park.
New healthy eating guidelines are not just for humans, it seems.
Ducks and other birds at Gheluvelt Park are no longer allowed to be fed the traditional bread offerings.
Instead families visiting the Barbourne park have been told by Worcester City Council they can only feed them healthy seeds.
The council has even gone as far as to buy a supply of healthy seeds which it is giving out for free.
The seed - which costs the council £13.25 per 25kg bag - is available at the park during weekdays.
Park warden Michelle Newell said: "Gheluvelt Park is home to a variety of wild birds, from garden birds, ducks and moorhens to a nesting pair of swans.
"Ideally, they like to eat wild bird seed or corn, which offers them a varied and nutrient rich diet. We are urging visitors to take advantage of the free bags of seed we have available and work with us on maintaining a healthy bird population."
Worcestershire bird lover Jan Harrigan, who runs the Swan Rescue charity in Wychbold, is backing the new scheme.
She said: "Bread is often considered a great option but the RSPB believes that while it is not harmful, it doesn't actually provide birds with any goodness."
"That is why we are very encouraged by this recent initiative. Feeding them brings them closer for us to enjoy and if we choose the right foods to feed them then we will be doing our bit to preserve a healthy bird population."
Signs in the park will direct people to the gardener's hut, near the paddling pool, where the seed is being stored.
