THE houses at Ledbury Primary have been re-named after birds of prey, and to mark the occasion, youngsters from the school recently visited a place where eagles, buzzards, kestrels and kites are guaranteed.

A school spokesman said: "House Captains and Vice Captains at Ledbury Primary School were thrilled to be invited to The International Birds of Prey Centre at Newent, to be photographed with the birds.

"This followed a visit to the school by the IBPC to celebrate the adoption of new Houses at the School this year. Chosen to inspire the children to have high aspirations and to soar, the Houses are Eagles, Buzzards, Kestrels and Kites."

The spokesman added:"It was a wonderful experience for the captains to be close up to the birds and to learn about them whilst watching them in flight. We are very grateful to the IBPC and look forward to maintaining our links with them."

The International Centre for Birds of Prey a registered charity. It is the oldest dedicated birds of prey centre in the world; its mission is "the conservation of all birds of prey and their habitats through public education and captive breeding".

The centre also has a captive breeding programme "to research species, breed from species not previously understood, to provide teaching and written information for good and viable captive breeding programmes at home and abroad, and maintain the collection and provide birds for demonstrations and falconry, both in the UK and further afield".

The centre also undertakes undertakes international conservation programmes, and it has been involved in the South Asian Vulture Programme since 1999.