STAFF and residents at Bupa care homes in St Albans and Harpenden are urging the community to help reverse the decline in the UK house sparrow population but creating bird-friendly gardens.

As part of National Wildlife Week, May 7 to May 13, Allington Court nursing home in Bricket Wood, Tenterden House in St Albans and Field House in Harpenden will host a week of activities around the 'save the sparrow' theme.

Bupa's community and partnership manager Siobhan Drane said: "Everyone enjoys seeing a cheeky sparrow in gardens, but this much loved British bird needs our help.

"So we're asking everyone to join the campaign, either by offering a helping hand to our green-fingered residents or by making their own gardens more bird-friendly."

For more information or to get involved with Bupa's wildlife week call 0845 600 4622 or email wildlifeweek@bupa.com