Birdwatchers in Oxfordshire have been urged to help protect threatened species in the Mediterranean.

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust has appealed for conservationists to put pressure on the Government to force the European Union to outlaw the trapping and sale of finches in Malta for shooting.

Martin Spray, the trust's director, said: "Malta is negotiating to join the EU, and therefore should be made to adopt the EC Birds Directive, which outlaws these practices.

"It has come to our attention that a special deal is being negotiated allowing Malta to continue finch trapping."

The trust fears shooting of turtle doves and quail may also be allowed.