TWO baby owls recently born at a North East falconry centre are expected to be a part of the attraction's public shows later this year.

The two barn owls are only three weeks old and are being hand-reared at Falconry UK, at Sion Hill Hall, near Thirsk.

Falconer Ben Potter will be feeding the birds until they are fully developed at about 14 weeks-old, and will begin to train them for the show once they can fly.

Owner of the centre Ian Ashton said: "We think that they are male and female - we can tell by their weight, as the female is usually heavier than the male in birds of prey.

"They were bred from a pair we have at the centre and have already been taken from their mother to be hand-reared."

Barn owls, which normally live for between ten and 12 years, have been breeding successfully at the centre for years, while in the wild, breeding has slowed down significantly.

The youngsters are yet to be named, and the staff at Falconry UK are welcoming any suggestions from the public. Ideas for names should be sent to Falconry UK, Birds of Prey Centre, Sion Hill Hall, Kirby Wiske, Thirsk.