CONSERVATIONISTS baffled by the arrival of Britain's biggest sea bird over 40 miles inland and seventy miles from the nearest colony have preserved the bird for future generations to see.

The Gannet, was found alive at Hudswell, near Richmond, and taken to the Foxglove Covert nature reserve at Catterick Garrison but died not long after it was found.

However staff said they were determined to preserve the stunning bird and approached Bedale taxidermist Brian Lancaster for help. The display he created was presented to Brigadier Neil Dalton, Head of the Training Estate, and has now been given pride of place in the reserve's centre.

A foxglove spokesman said:"He did a marvellous job showing the bird in the dramatic diving position. It will now be used to help people learn about these beautiful birds and their impressive adaptations which prepare them for the impact of their dives from heights of up to 40m and at speeds of up to 60mph.

"We have had a lot of interest from visitors, especially as it was found so far inland, it was very thin so it may have had something wrong with it."

The nearest Gannet colony is at Bempton Cliffs near Scarborough, the birds migrates to the site each season from West Africa in January or February, they pair for life and return to the same nest site each year. For information go to www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/