THE aviary in Bournemouth's gardens has been given a two-week stay of execution in a bid to see whether a private sponsor will rescue it.

The Daily Echo yesterday handed over 260 objections from readers who want the attraction saved.

The public backlash has helped prompt Bournemouth Borough Council to seek a sponsor to save the aviary.

The council says there has been "some interest" from would-be sponsors and officers are holding discussions. A final decision will not be made before August 22.

Cllr Angela Manton, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for the economy, welcomed the response from Echo readers. "We understand that people don't want to lose things that are part of Bournemouth's history," she said.

"We've got to look at ways of really being cost effective for the people of Bournemouth and we're prepared to take on board what people say to us but at the end of the day we've got to get value for money for people."

Ninety per cent of the aviary's 300 birds have been donated because they could not stay with their current owners.

Bournemouth council had already voted to close the aviary in a bid to save £15,000 this year. The decision was part of a £380,000 package of cuts aimed at solving a budget crisis in the leisure and tourism department.

The budget problems, which came less than three months into the financial year, have sparked a row over who was to blame. The Liberal Democrats have accused the council's former Tory leadership of setting too tight a budget.

Liberal Democrat councillor Phil Stanley-Watts joined the protests against the closure decision.

"I think closing the aviary is petty-mindedness. Losing tourism attractions like this is just not on for a top tourist resort," he said.