Sefton Council has shared the following statement regarding the Aviary at Botanic Gardens in Southport:

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "As has already been publicised, Sefton Council has received a legal challenge over an operational decision to close the Aviary at Botanic Gardens in Southport.

"Fighting a legal challenge requires significant expense and this cost is an unfair and unnecessary burden on the Sefton taxpayer.

"As a result of this challenge the operational decision in question has been rescinded by the Local Authority.

"Sefton Council will now conduct a public consultation into the future of the Aviary which will include animal welfare, rising financial demands, current infrastructure and future operational challenges.

"Details of this consultation will be published in due course."

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