People with an interest in birds are invited to take part in a short walk next week to find out about four similar-looking breeds of feathered friends.

The West Cumbria Swift Group, based in the Gosforth area, is inviting adults and children to take part in the event as part of Swift Awareness Week.

Walkers will set off from Drigg beach car park at 7pm on Thursday, June 27 to make a short trip onto the beach to view a sand martin colony.

Their attentions will then turn to nearby housemartins, swallows and swifts.

The four breeds of birds can often be mistaken for one another when in flight but swifts are actually from a different family to the other three.

At the finish point at the Victoria Hotel, swift group members will be on hand to offer people information and advice about how they can help boost the local swift population, such as by putting up nesting boxes to replace habitats that are being lost.

The event is free and there is no need to register.