Why is the Humber Estuary a 'motorway service station' for birds?

A unique combination of factors makes an area of the Humber Estuary "like a motorway service station" for migrating birds, wildlife experts have said.

The waterways and beaches around Grimsby and Cleethorpes see thousands of birds arrive each autumn as they make their way to Africa from the Artic.

Parts of the Humber Estuary were designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1988 and are protected by law.

Abi Sheridan, ecology officer at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "We’ve got mud flats and the salt marshes, lots of food resources, we’ve got lots of places for them to rest and recuperate on their journey."