Campaigners 'delighted' with aviary revamp

However, work to improve the aviary has been completed after Suzanne Sedgeman, who lives in Grimsdyke Road, collected more than 100 signatures calling it refurbished.

Ms Sedgeman, 51, said: "I am absolutely delighted with the new cage. I was worried that they would have only painted the outside but it's all been done and there is so much more light coming in. When I went down there they were making a lot of noise and had come to the front of the cage."

The back wall and inside of the aviary have been painted white and the sheets of Perspex, which had become dirty and covered in graffiti, removed.

One sheet remains to protects the birds from cold winds.

Retiree Helen Ripley, who wrote to the Observer last year objecting to birds being kept in cages, inspected the updated aviary and said: "The cage is clean although very clinical and the second mesh wire has been removed. Now the public can at least see the budgies and hopefully be aware of their care as the cage previously was not kept clean and it was difficult to even see the budgies."

She added that more improvements could be made, such as having natural landing branches and heating.

"I do not like to see any animal caged but if they are to be then they should at least have basic requirements which in my opinion should include heating to endure our colder wint ers," she said.

David Corby, service manager for public realm maintenance at Harrow Council, said: "We know how much our residents love Pinner aviary so we are working hard to maintain and develop it.

"This has also increased visibility for residents and we are looking to improve this even further following requests from children to have a step added.

"We were pleased to read the RSPCA report issued earlier this year stated that the birds at Pinner Memorial Park appear to be 'very well cared for'."

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