Upton

Helen Upton, from Catherine's Bakery in Bridgnorth, said traders would have to pass some of those costs on, but added: "I'm hoping the public of Bridgnorth will see that price increases are going to be coming for their survival, not for making extra profit."

Ms Upton believes shops in Bridgnorth were suffering for a number of reasons, including parking fees, and she said: "A lot of them are on the borderline and have just decided enough's enough."

Sarah Vickers who lives on Caughall Road said she has lived in Upton almost all of her life and does not recall ever seeing a murmuration so close.

One of the wildlife experts who filmed the phenomenon said it was even more spectacular as it was above a "built up urban area" in Upton, Cheshire, close to Chester Zoo.

England suffered a record defeat at the hands of world champions Australia in Las Vegas as Tamika Upton scored five of her team's 17 tries.