A NOT-so-romantic love bird who flew away from her duty of delivering an engagement ring did not stop one North-East couple from setting a wedding date.

Frankie, a hawk based at Walworth Castle Birds of Prey falconry, near Darlington, had been hired by doting boyfriend Shaun Haque to make the proposal to his partner extra special.

However Frankie, a female Harris’s hawk, played no part in the romantic gesture organised for Mr Haque’s long-term girlfriend, Laura Purdy.

Walworth Castle Birds of Prey centre staff have confirmed that despite Frankie being originally chosen to take part in the proposal, Nan, a female barn owl took on the role of ring bearer during a routine display involving three birds.

Miss Purdy, a 23-year-old waitress, was unaware of her tattoo-artist boyfriend’s plan to propose at the falconry centre.

She said: “It was all a complete surprise to me. It was our five-year anniversary and it was my boyfriend who set it all up without me knowing about it.

“My partner was told that a bird called Frankie would be the one to deliver the ring, but unfortunately, Frankie hadn’t come back after flying off somewhere else.

“I didn’t know what was going on, but my boyfriend was obviously really nervous and everyone was looking at each other wondering what was going to happen now Frankie had gone.

“We were waiting about 40 minutes but the staff brought out this beautiful barn owl and a few people were chosen to have the owl land on their arm.

“I was the last person to be chosen and although I’m not frightened of birds, I’m a little bit wary, so I wasn’t that keen on being picked to be honest.”

The unsuspecting bride-to-be was then ushered away from her partner, Mr Haque, 31, and told to wear a thick glove by the bird of prey centre staff before the surprise proposal plan could continue.

The bird of prey display for visitors to the tourist attraction was not interrupted by Frankie's brief disappearance.

Miss Purdy added: “I put this glove on and the owl was flying towards me.

“I didn’t notice what it had in its claws, but it was a little bag with the ring in. I only noticed when it landed on my arm.

“Then my partner came out of the crowd and got down on one knee and I just couldn’t believe it – all I could do was cry because it was so much of a surprise.”

The happy couple, from Hartlepool, have since thanked Walworth Castle Birds of Prey staff for their determination to deliver the all-important engagement ring which was brought to Miss Purdy by Nan the barn owl.

Miss Purdy said: “Everyone was amazing and made the day so special for me – we celebrated with champagne afterwards. It was an incredible surprise.”

The pair now hope to tie the knot within the next two years.