A PAIR of red kite chicks spread their wings yesterday as they prepared to become the first red kites in the North-East skies for more than 150 years.

The fledgling birds of prey, delivered to an undisclosed area, will soon soar over the semi-urban environment of the Derwent Valley, near Gateshead.

It is the first time the species is being re-introduced near a large conurbation and is part of a five-year project to establish a breeding population in the region. Northern Kites project manager Keith Bowey said: "We are delighted that the North-East has been chosen as the final piece in the jigsaw in the red kite release project.

"This fills a gap between the South-East and Scotland.

"It is also significant in economic terms. We anticipate the red kites will become a fantastic visitor attraction, in the same way as the osprey attracted up to £2m to the local economy in Cumbria."

The chicks are only about a month old and have not yet attained their full rusty-red plumage. They will not be ready to make their first flight until they are eight weeks old.

They are wild-born birds and have been collected from nests in Oxfordshire.

It will be several weeks before the kites are ready to fly free. Until they are old enough to be released, they will be looked after somewhere in the North-East, where human contact will be kept to a minimum.

The Northern Kites project members hope that up to 30 of the rare and spectacular birds will be introduced into the North-East this year, with further releases planned in subsequent years.

Opportunities for people to watch the kites at viewpoints are planned, along with community and education events.

The Northern Kites initiative is a partnership between English Nature, The RSPB, Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, The National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund.