A POULTRY club has hatched a plan to stop local breeds becoming extinct.

The Colchester Egg Show at Lawford Venture Centre on Sunday April 22 will be encouraging the public to become back yard breeders and keep East Anglian birds in existence.

East Anglia has three types of hen associated with its counties. The Norfolk Grey which is making a steady come back, the Ixworth of Suffolk which is in decline and the Golden Essex, which is now extinct. It is estimated that five breeds a year are lost.

A talk on poultry husbandry will start the show at 11am while Colchester Poultry Club will be selling equipment, giftware and hatching eggs. Refreshments will be available.

Entry is free. For more information contact Nicki Firth on 01359 230448 or nictoney@aol.com.