A POLICE force has put up signs to protect a family of moorhens it has taken under its wing.

The birds have nested in the ornamental pond near the reception at the Durham Constabulary's headquarters.

Staff at Aykley Heads have taken a shine to the family and regularly spend their lunch breaks feeding the male, two females and five chicks.

Fleet support services manager Barbara Turner said: "They are small and black and really, really sweet, especially the chicks.

"People go outside and feed them during their breaks. They are so cute you can't help it."

Moorhens are very territorial and fight off other birds who target their chicks.

Both parents labour tirelessly to feed their offspring and older chicks of the first brood will feed their young siblings of the second brood.

Concerns had been raised about the Aykley Heads birds because they have to cross a road to get to their favourite grassed area.

The road is used by the public visiting the HQ and officers responding to emergency calls in squad cars.

This is the second brood of chicks this year, but it is thought only one from the first set survived.

Mrs Turner said: "They have come back since last year so they have created a lot of interest on the site.

"But in previous years they have fallen foul of the traffic and they are so small people sometimes don't even know if they have hit them."

Signs urging drivers to watch out for the moorhens have been put up after it was suggested by handyman Michael Bowden.

Mrs Turner said: "There are railings surrounding the pond, but they just slip through the bars of that, so there was no way of protecting them.

"We want to alert people's attention to the fact there are moorhens crossing the road so they are alert, attentive and careful. The signs are a talking point and they are getting noticed so hopefully they will be effective and people will slow down."