More than 10,000 turkeys will be culled after a bird flu outbreak at a farm writes Barnaby Kellaway.

The outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza has been confirmed at a turkey fattening farm near Northallerton, North Yorks.

All of the birds there will have to be humanely killed.

A control zone has also been put in place around the infected site to limit the risk of the virus spreading.

An investigation is underway to try and pinpoint the most likely source of the outbreak, which at this point is unknown.

READ NEXT: Turkey farmer sees demand rise despite Christmas uncertainty

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said avian influenza poses little risk to public health and that the H5N8 strain of the virus involved does not affect food safety.

The incident is not expected to have an impact on the supplies of turkeys or other birds over Christmas.

A Defra statement said: "Avian influenza of the H5N8 strain was confirmed at a turkey fattening premises near Northallerton on Saturday November 28.

"All 10,500 birds at the farm will be humanely culled to limit the spread of the disease.

"A 3km and 10km temporary control zone has been put in place around the infected site to limit the risk of the disease spreading."