SOME imposing birds of prey will make a flying visit to a museum as part of an exhibition this weekend.

Visitors to Newcastle's Hancock Museum will have the chance to get close to eight birds of prey tomorrow from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Experienced handlers will show off an eagle owl, a Harris hawk, a Gyr cross Saker falcon, a male and female Alti Saker falcon, a barn owl and a Lanner falcon.

There will also be the chance to see some of the birds in flight as they swoop across the Hancock's bird gallery.

They are being taken to the museum by David Hamilton and Paul McNulty, of an organisation called Classic Hawking, which travels around schools, fetes and visitor attractions educating people about birds of prey and how to care for them.

The birds are not kept as domestic animals, and fly freely and hunt for prey every day.

As part of the exhibition, there will be various craft activities, including bird mask and mobile making.