A BIRD of Prey Centre fighting for survival after funding dried up because of the coronavirus crisis has been in the limelight after appearing on the Yorkshire Vet series.

Despite featuring on the hugely popular programme following filming at their annual international vulture awareness day last year Thirsk Birds of Prey Centre fears they will still battle to meet food and energy bills this month because they have had to close down.

An appeal has been launched to try and help raise the money needed to keep going until they can try and relaunch some of their rund raising activities once the lockdown is eased.

Falconer Kerry Badger said: "We are still closed to the public to help stop the spread of this horrible virus which in turn has stopped all income to the centre.

"We had only been open for 20 days this season after coming out of a very hard winter. We have lost potential income from all school and coach visits so far and have lost the income we possibly would have made during the Easter Half Term holidays and the May Bank Holidays.

"The staff have all made significant personal sacrifices as our priority is to maintain the high standards of care we always give our birds at our centre."

Donations can be made through www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thirskbirds