BURST pipes at the aviary which houses Dunfermline's peacocks have resulted in a near £1,000 loss in income and supplies.

Damage to the building in Pittencrieff Park left volunteers wading through inches of dirty water and waterlogged storage units.

Carlyn Cane, who helps to look after the birds, told the Press: "It was multiple burst pipes, it's with the cold because we have no heating in the building.

"I went into the aviary and water was pouring down, it was coming through the lights so we had no electricity.

"Suzi (Ross) had to phone her brother who used to be the park manager and he came down to help, he had to lift a metal grate and use a pole to turn off the water supply.

"So then we had no running water and couldn't do any cleaning."

She says the main entrance, disabled toilets and storage shed were all flooded and that a recent delivery of straw had been soaked completely and rendered useless, as well as three bags of sawdust.

"There was that much it was still dripping the next day," Carlyn continued.

"The items for the gift shop are all soaking, there was a box of new uniforms for us too but I think we will be able to salvage them."

Fife Council quickly acted and she says a joiner, plumber and electrician were all on site soon after a report was made.

And the people of Dunfermline have, once again, shown their love for the birds, iconic symbols of our city.

Carlyn said: "Again it's the people of Dunfermline who have stepped up like you wouldn't believe.

"£400 went into the PayPal account and we were contacted by two firms with straw.

"Melanie (Sorbie, who set up a fundraiser in the wake of an attack on the birds which raised more than £10,000) went to Pets At Home and bought us hay and sawdust.

"Everybody is so supportive."

The volunteers are hoping to work with Fife Council and the Carnegie Trust to improve the building, which has left the birds and those who look after them freezing without heating.

"The birds are such a massive draw for the park but if we were paid we wouldn't be allowed to work in the building.

"We'd be making £200 at the weekend, we've lost all of that as well, we can't afford to stay shut."

Scott Fenton, Fife Council team manager, had told the Press in September that a "steering group" was in the process of "being established with representatives from the volunteers, the Trust and the council to lead on future improvements for the peacocks and their environment."