BIRDS of prey will be on display at a Roman attraction to mark its second birthday at the weekend.

Visitors to Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, Tyneside, on Saturday and Sunday, will come face to face with eight birds of prey.

They will include Amber, a one-year-old Steppe eagle from Eastern Europe, a goshawk named Nell, Clyde the male kestrel, a lanner falcon named Twist and Savannah, a ferruginous buzzard originally from America.

There will also be three owls of different species on display - an Iranian eagle owl called Scooter, Curly the female barn owl and Gizmo the tawny owl.

The birds will be taken to Segedunum by Eddie Armstrong, of Gilsland, Northumberland, who displays his birds at schools, fetes and visitor attractions with the aim of educating people about them.

He will answer questions from visitors. They will also be able to handle the birds and to have photographs taken with them.

Bill Griffiths, curator of Segedunum, said: "The eagle had great significance for Roman soldiers. The standard of a legion was the eagle with outstretched wings, and it was the greatest disgrace if the eagle was captured.

"This will be a great day out and an excellent way to celebrate the fort's second birthday."

Segedunum is open daily, from 10am to 5pm. Admission costs £3.50 for adults, £1.95 for children and concessions. Under-fours are admitted free.