BRITAIN'S biggest scientific investigation into the effect of predators on upland birds has been launched in the North-East.

An eight-year project which will cost £960,000, the results could improve the breeding performance of important wading birds such as lapwing, golden plover, snipe and curlew across the North Pennines, all of which are suffering declines in many areas.

The key aim is to measure the impact which predators such as crows, foxes and stoats have on the ground-nesting birds, some of whose most important populations occur on the Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire hills.

The Otterburn Wader Experiment was launched in the Northumberland village this week by the Game Conservancy Trust, an independent conservation research charity.

It has employed two gamekeepers to take part in the experiment, which will take place on 48sq km of heather moorland around Otterburn in response to concerns that predators disrupt breeding numbers by preying on nests.

Dr David Baines, head of upland research for the trust, said control of predators was a controversial issue because gamekeepers were blamed for the illegal persecution of birds of prey but the project could show that they could help conservation.

He said: "This has been a contentious issue and has, in some people's eyes, made villains out of gamekeepers. This project is looking at the other side, the positive aspect."

Dr Andrew Hoodless, who will lead the project, said: "Although the densities of some waders within our study area are low, we believe there is potential for a significant increase within the time of the experiment.

"The current breeding success of the wader is insufficient to maintain stable breeding populations, but this is typical of many moors without gamekeepers. The next eight years will show whether predation control can reverse the fortunes of these birds."

Local landowners, including the Ministry of Defence, have agreed to cooperate with the project.

* Wildlife habitats and important heritage sites in the region are facing a serious threat, according to rural campaigners.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) claims the successful conservation of the North-East's natural and built heritage is being jeopardised by declining public services in rural communities.

The association's deputy president, Mark Hudson, writing in the CLA's Agenda publication, said barriers to improving heritage conservation included a lack of financial incentives and a patchy planning system which discouraged change of use and regeneration of old buildings.