HARRY the hawk has been banned from public displays - after he flew off with a spectator's hairpiece.

Accident-prone Harry has been the star of the show for 15 years.

But now his days as a show-off at Thorp Perrow Arboretum , near Bedale, North Yorkshire, are over because of his bird-brained antics.

Harry was taking part in a show at Shildon Gala, in County Durham, when he landed on an elderly man's head and flew off with his toupee.

Owner Tom Graham said yesterday: "It was a nightmare. He perched on this chap's head and when he took off he had his hairpiece in his talons.

"He took it to the ground and started plucking it to pieces. I eventually managed to get it off him, but it was in a sorry state."

Harry, a Harris hawk, had been supposed to have been chasing a dummy rabbit made out of old wool, but decided a 'hair' was the more attractive target.

Mr Graham handed it back to the spectator and offered to pay for damages.

"The crowd thought it was hilarious but the man was a bit disgruntled. He was obviously very embarrassed and just walked off with his toupee in his hand. I've never heard from him since."

It is not the first time Harry has been in disgrace. He once punctured a bouncy castle with his talons at Keswick Gala, in the Lake District, and flew into an ice cream van at Wolsingham Show, in Weardale.

"It cost me more to pay for the lost trade in ice cream than I got for the show," said Mr Graham.

Soon after that, he landed on a woman's head at a show and would only move after being offered extra food as bait.

He obviously decided that perching on heads was a way to be rewarded and from then on did it at every show.

The toupee takeaway was the last straw and Harry is now having his first season out of the limelight.

"It was a tough decision to axe Harry from the show because he's a real star, but enough is enough," said Mr Graham.

But it's not all bad news for Harry. He is now being used in a breeding programme after being introduced to a female Harris hawk called Merlot.

He will become a father for the first time next month and Mr Graham is hoping one of the chicks will grow up to be as talented as his father.

"Mind you, if he's anything like his dad, we'll have to warn anyone wearing a hairpiece to keep their heads down," he said.

* The Falcons of Thorp Perrow are on display daily, at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. For information, call (01677) 427755.