The trial date has been set for a bird breeder in the Fens charged with 16 offences including the caging of seven wild birds.

Edward William Easter, 72, is also accused of causing unnecessary suffering to several birds in his possession.

Easter, of Hollycroft Road, Emneth, near Wisbech, denies the allegations and his three-day trial will commence at King's Lynn Magistrates' Court on July 31.

The retired school teacher is charged with having two wild red-backed shrikes, a wild stonechat, three wild goldfinches, and a wild grey wagtail in his possession on September 19 last year.

He is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a red-backed shrike between September 23, 2009 and July 15, 2011 by failing to provide appropriate treatment for a severe fungal dermatitis.

He is also accused of causing unnecessary suffering to another red-backed shrike between June 24, 2011 and July 15, 2011 by failing to provide appropriate treatment for a parasitic mite infestation causing a skin condition.

Easter is alleged to have not taken steps to ensure the needs of two grey wagtails and two yellow wagtails were met by providing appropriate husbandry and management to prevent disease between September 23, 2009 and July 15, 2011.

He is also alleged to have caused unnecessary suffering to a red-backed shrike by failing to provide treatment for severe fungal dermatitis and another red-backed shrike and a grey wagtail between September 23, 2009 and September 19, 2011 by failing to provide adequate parasitic control.

The 72-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges at his first appearance at King's Lynn Magistrates' Court last month.