KEEPING dead rats in the freezer is guaranteed to cause at least a little friction in most households.

Add to that the immense amount of time, commitment and money that falconers must devote to their sport, and you understand why it remains a minority pursuit.

Yet such is the devotion of falconers that a club established in Stockton, on Teesside, two months ago is already attracting members from right across the region.

Although, when you learn that falconry can be traced back to 2,000BC, that hunting with birds pre-dates all other forms of hunting, even bows and arrows and that it was the leading sport in Britain for 400 years, maybe it isn't surprising to know that magnificent birds of prey still have a hold over us.

"It's been incredible since we started," said Lee Copeland, who helped found Cleveland Hawking Club. "We've had people with 32 years experience coming from across County Durham, to complete novices from round the corner.

"One reason my brother, Jonathan, and I wanted to set up the club was because people are worried that there will be a knock-on effect from the anti-hunting with dogs movement, which will affect us.

"But the other reason is educational. When you start off you have a bird that is essentially wild and it is very easy to make a mistake - a mistake that could lead to the death of the bird through starvation.

"It really helps to speak to people who know what they're talking about."

Mr Copeland, 31, said he first became interested in birds of prey when he visited falconry park in Germany, while serving in the Army. However he didn't buy his bird, a Harris hawk, until 1996 after becoming increasingly fascinated with the creatures.

"There's something incredibly majestic about them, they're so regal," he said.

"When you think they've evolved to this point to survive just by catching prey. They can do things a human couldn't dream of, like spotting a rabbit two miles away and swooping down to catch it.

"Just to witness a thing like that is a great privilege."

Members of the club train all manner of birds of prey, including owls and buzzards, although no one has yet brought in an eagle.

* To find out more about the club, visit the website at www.clevelandhawking club.20m.coM