CHARITY Commissioners have been asked to investigate the running of a wild bird hospital. Members of the Greenmount Wild Bird Hospital claim new officials are trying to oust the woman who founded it. And they are unhappy about the disappearance of birds from the sanctuary in the Kirklees Valley near Tottington.

Mary Smalley said she was "disgusted" by attempts to force the resignation of Irena Zalasiewicz who founded the hospital 30 years ago.

Mrs Smalley claims committee members have also been abusive and refused to show bills.

She said: "Greenmount is a trust, working for the good of the birds, not for the gratification of a committee. Old cages, suitable for dogs and cats, have now been bought from the RSPCA, but they are not suitable for birds.

"When I went with another member to sponsor a particular bird, I was told it had been sent to another home, but they wouldn't say where.

"Our supporters pay for the birds' keep - not to have them sent away. And requests to see bills have been refused."

Mrs Zalasiewicz, who still visits to tend the birds, would only say: "It is very sad. Many organisations put down injured or sick birds, but I took a different line; that if a creature is trying to live, I would help it do so and give it sanctuary. This is enshrined in our constitution."

Press officer Peter Wright said there had been problems at the hospital and the RSPCA, of which he was once a local official, had made recommendations.

He said the committee was trying to "bring the hospital up to standard". work had already been done and £1,800 spent on a new floor.

But some members claim that amount was excessive and not enough estimates for the work had been gathered.

When the BEN asked Mr Wright who had laid the floor, he did not know.

After enquiries, Mr Wright later said: "The man who laid the floor was Mr John Lowe, husband of our chairperson, Sharon Lowe, but at the time he did the work they were not married and he was not on the committee, and the Charity Commissioners are aware of this."

Asked about the whereabouts of an owl which had been cared for at the sanctuary for years, he said: "It was removed because it had flatfly, which are like bloodsuckers. It was treated and taken to another sanctuary where it is now with another small owl."

When asked which sanctuary, he replied: "They won't tell me - I mean, they won't tell you.

"I don't think Irena is now a fit person to talk about birds. Her care is sadly lacking. She is hardly ever there."

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