A Wigan Euro MP is backing moves to enforce a ban on illegal hunting in Malta, giving a lifeline to birds featured in one of Britain’s most famous Christmas songs.

Turtle-doves, from the 12 Days of Christmas, did not join in festivities in the UK as they are too busy basking in African sunshine, but their return migration to the UK is fraught with the danger of being shot by Maltese hunters.

There are thought to be 75,000 breeding pairs in Britain each summer, but the number has fallen by two-thirds since the early 1970s, with illegal hunting in Malta a large factor in the decline, Wigan Today said.

Malta is on an important bird migration route in the Mediterranean and EU laws prohibit the killing of birds during the spring periods for migration and breeding.

More than a million birds are estimated killed in Malta each year.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds claims that every spring since then, Malta’s government has allowed its hunters to break the law by shooting turtle-doves and quail.

But now the EU has escalated legal proceedings by sending a final written warning to Malta’s government.

North West Euro-MP Chris Davies said: “This indiscriminate slaughter, without thought for the consequences, has got to be brought to an end. Malta knew the rules when it applied to join the EU.”