The recent surge in avian influenza cases has included Norfolk turkey farms at Wighton, near Wells, and at Ormesby St Margaret, near Great Yarmouth in the last week, as well as Suffolk farms near Lakenheath, Brandon and Honington.

Defra says all birds on the infected premises were humanely culled in a bid to prevent the virus spreading - a massive blow to the poultry industry as it heads into the crucial Christmas season.

Mark Gorton, who runs Traditional Norfolk Poultry, based in Shropham, near Attleborough, said his company lost "thousands and thousands" of free-range turkeys in the cull at Brandon.

The firm begins its Christmas campaign this weekend, and is facing a race against........

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