Visitors wing their way to info centre

Spokeswoman Henrietta Lilley said it now housed the most significant collection of birds of prey in the World.

At any one time, the Newent-based centre is home to 300 regular birds with 200 more in the recently-extended clinic, many of which have been brought in sick or injured.

With more birds arriving and the centre's increasing involvement in Worldwide conservation projects, it is out to raise awareness of the good work it does through a publicity campaign.

Mrs Lilley said: "Most of our funding comes from the visitors who come in through the gate, but what people see is just the tip of the iceberg."

She said that by bringing the roadshow to Ledbury, the centre hoped to promote itself and get across its constant need for funding."

On average, each regular bird on the 300-strong flying team costs £2,000 a year to keep.

The centre's clinic for sick birds of prey has just been extended at a cost of "several thousand pounds" and, with 30 years of research behind it, the centre is linked more and more to global conservation projects.

Recently, the centre persuaded a major incubator company to provide two incubators for free, to help with the Philippine Eagle Fund.

The incubators were sent over and the first Philippine eagle in severn years was hatched in captivity, all the more important as there as only 200 left in the wild.

It is the National Birds of Prey Centre's commitment to conservation that earned its owner, Jemima Parry-Jones, the MBE last year.

The visit to Ledbury Tourist Information Centre is part of the TIC Awareness Week attractions at The Homend venue.

Among the birds on display will be some baby owls, which should be thrilling visitors from 10am to 1pm.

Ledbury TIC supervisor Chris Clarke said: "Every year we get in different attractions. It will be superb.

"We aim to bring people into the TIC to make them aware of the services we provide."

The National Birds of Prey Centre can be contacted on 01531 820990.