CHILDREN were able to get up close and personal with some impressive birds of prey yesterday when Falconry UK visited Preston Park, near Stockton.

The birds were put through their paces during a display intended to show how fast the birds can fly, hunt and swoop on their prey.

Among those who visited yesterday's event, which was organised by Stockton Borough Council's countryside warden team, were brothers Ben and Jamie Dixon, who are pictured above with one of the birds.