MRS Robinson has flashing eyes and falls in love regularly – but don’t let her sink her claws in.

For this particular gorgeous lady is a giant European eagle owl and one of the star attractions of a new business.

After a lifetime working in the steel industry, Mike Kinder and Mark Allen are to launch their new company, North Yorkshire Moors Birds of Prey, in May.

Mr Allen, 46, from Guisborough, fell in love with birds of prey when he was a boy watching the film Kes.

“I took up falconry with Mike years ago, and he’s taught me a lot,” he said.

“But I’ve always dreamed of being able to do more with it, and when I was made redundant it was the perfect time.”

Mr Kinder, 66, from Boosbeck, has just retired and the two have been preparing for their new business venture by building up an impressive cast of owls, falcons and hawks.

They include Barnie the barn owl, Spitfire the kestrel, and tiny Ben, who lives up to his breed name of little owl, as well as several others.

“All of our birds are real characters,” said Mr Allen.

“Mrs Robinson is named after the lady in The Graduate because at certain times of the year she falls in love with Mike and gets very possessive.”

The pair needed guidance on setting up their business and turned to Redcar Enterprise Team for help – a part of Redcar and Cleveland Council which offers local businesses at least 12 hours of free tailored support.

The pair now have a wide array of business ideas using the birds.

“We plan to take them into schools to help bring the curriculum to life – our birds can be used in connection with subjects ranging from biology and art to physics and engineering,” said Mr Allen.

“Children’s parties are another area where we think our owls will be popular, thanks to the Harry Potter effect – Mrs Robinson is huge but very gentle and looks amazing on the arm of a three-year-old.”

The pair also plan to offer pest control services, using their birds to scare off pigeons and other nuisances in an environmentally-friendly way, and will also be putting on displays and static shows.

*They will be displaying their birds at the Victoria Hotel at Robin Hood’s Bay throughout the Easter holidays. Their website will be up and running by April, and they can be contacted on 07740-611881.