British farmland bird bounces back from brink of extinction

Conservation programme sees numbers of the endangered cirl bunting reach 1,078 pairs - up from just 118 in 1989

One of Britain's most threatened farmland birds has reached a major milestone in its recovery from the brink of extinction, figures show.

A nationwide survey by the RSPB shows the UK population of the cirl bunting - a small, finch-like bird - has reached 1,078 pairs after numbering just 118 in 1989.