THE future's bright for one of Britain's rarest seaside birds.

Sections of Transco's yellow polyethylene gas pipes are appearing on North-East beaches, which conservationists hope will help the fragile colonies of endangered Little Tern.

They hope that hatchlings will use the half buried, 40 half metre sections of pipe as protective shelters against predators and changes of weather, while their parents are searching for food.

Usually up to 50 pairs of the tiny birds lay their eggs on exposed sites on the sand at Crimdon Dene on the Durham coast, and North Gare, near Hartlepool.

Geoff Barber, conservation officer with Billingham-based INCA (Industry Nature Conservation Association) said: "We have a team of volunteer wardens who are vital for the success of the Little Terns.

"They prepare the nesting grounds and keep watch on the sites from May until July, when the chicks are old enough to fend for themselves.

"Until now we've been using concrete drainage pipes very effectively, but they are very heavy and awkward.

"This year we thought Transco's PE pipe would be an even better alternative.

"It's lighter and quite thick-walled, meaning it has good insulation properties," said Mr Barber.