BIRD lovers are being urged to stand guard over a colony of rare birds trying to keep a foothold on the North-East coast.

A small number of little terns, one of Britain's rarest seabirds, nest each year on beaches near Hartlepool.

The appeal comes as volunteers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds began mounting 24-hour surveillance of a site where about 200 pairs of little terns are nesting at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, which was vandalised last year.

Nesting on shingle beaches, the terns' perilous existence at Hartlepool is threatened by holidaymakers, dog walkers and off-road bikers.

Egg thieves, vandals and natural predators have also taken their toll on the summer migrants.

Last year, 26 chicks survived the summer at two separate colonies, one at Crimdon, the other at Seaton Carew's North Gare.

Observers say birds are already arriving from their winter refuges in Africa to re-establish their usual colonies.

Now, a project run by the Industry Nature Conservation Association (INCA) and Hartlepool Borough Council is looking for volunteers to act as wardens for the colony.

Environmental groups say the birds would not be able to breed successfully without the constant monitoring by volunteers.

Kevin Spindloe, who has been appointed full-time warden for this season, said: "Any input by volunteers, even just a few hours a week, would be invaluable and very much appreciated.

"Last year, 26 little tern chicks were successfully fledged thanks to volunteer help.

"The more volunteers we have the more protection we can provide and this results in higher fledgling rates.

"Volunteers always say they get tremendous satisfaction from helping these fascinating birds survive."

To help run the scheme INCA receives donations from local industries and landfill tax credits to cover the costs.

Prospective volunteers or anyone interested in little terns can find out more by attending an illustrated walk at the Hartlepool Art Gallery and Tourist Information Centre in Christ Church at 7.30pm on Tuesday.