Unstable rock has been removed from the cliffs

It was feared the breeding grounds could be lost because work was needed to remove unstable rock from the cliffs at Tynemouth.

But English Heritage worked with local environmental groups and English Nature to come up with a solution which would safeguard the cliff and the nest sites.

When kittiwakes and fulmars return to the site next year they will find platforms have been created for them.

'Losing habitats'

Workmen have abseiled down the cliff face and sculpted wire meshing to ledges and created flat surfaces for the birds to nest on.

Wildlife campaigner Keith Regan said: "It keeps the biodiversity of the place going. We are in a situation at the moment where bits and pieces are disappearing from our landscape.

"We are losing habitats and if you think of biodiversity rather like a jigsaw, it is taking little pieces out of the jigsaw puzzle.