A TYPE of bird already in decline could become extinct in Nottingham if disturbed, a tram inquiry has been told today.

Bird watcher Robert Hoare from Clifton raised his concerns about corn buntings at the hearing.

He has undertaken studies of the corn buntings around The Clifton pastures area.

Nottingham City and Notts County councils want to use a former Great Central Railwayway embankment in Wilford as part of its Phase Two tram extension to Clifton.

Speaking at the inquiry today Mr Hoare said: "What I'm saying is the corn buntings are declining nationally and anything that's going to upset them could probably push them out of the area all together."

He added: "You're going to get lots of big lorries with site traffic cutting through from the A453.

"I think any extra traffic could probably push them off."

But addressing Mr Hoare's claims, QC Charles George representing the city council, said : "You have no basis for saying the development of the park and ride is going to have any effect on those corn buntings.

"You're not going to have floods of traffic moving across the road."

The inquiry was due to finish today.

A decision is expected early next year.