A HUGE variety of birds will soon be flocking to the North-East with the annual flooding of a marshland creates a haven for waterfowl and wading birds.

South Tyneside Council has flooded Boldon Flats each winter since 1986 to produce feeding and roosting grounds for waterfowl and wading birds.

During this time more than a million birds have benefited.

The temporary lake is being created on the north side of Moor Lane. The flats can be viewed from specially provided lay-by on Moor Lane, south of Cleadon.

Birds recorded last year included curlew and redshank, mute annd whooper swans, teal, widgeon mallard, shelduck, gadwall, shoveller and tufted duck