Marshalls confirmed its commitment to enhancing the environment by installing 20 bird boxes at its St Ives site.

The boxes are at the company in Meadow Lane and are designed specifically for urban birds such as sparrows, starlings and swifts – all of which have seen a decline in numbers.

The boxes were installed following advice by the RSPB and, if successful, could pave the way for more.

Ian Manly, Marshalls Group environmental conservation advisor, said: “As this is the first time Marshalls and the RSPB have erected bird boxes on steel clad buildings, the boxes will be monitored over the next three years and a case on the study of our findings will provide information for other sites around the UK.”