FOR more than 150 years the North-East skies were empty of the spectacular red kites.

Famed for its rusty-red, forked tail and long wings, the rare bird of prey had been hounded from the region by human persecution. But its luck turned when the Heritage Lottery Fund stepped in to help a project to re-establish the species.

Now, only months after being reintroduced, they are one of the most visible benefits of the fund.

The birds were released in Gateshead's Derwent Valley last July by the Northern Kite project.

Managed by English Nature and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), it received £303,500 from the Lottery fund.

RSPB North-East spokesman David Hirst said last night: "The project would not have been able to go ahead without the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"The project has progressed even better than we could have imagined, even at this early stage."

The first six birds to be released were collected from nests in the Chilterns.

They were joined by a further 14 birds as part of the project to establish a breeding population.

Mr Hirst said: "Already, 12 have established themselves in the nearby Barlow area, much to the delight of the local landlord of the Black Horse, who has reported a boom in business. It suggests that this bird is a big draw to people."

All of the kites released so far have been adopted by schools, and pupils will receive updates on their whereabouts.

Each is tagged and all but three are accounted for. One is believed to be in Wales after it headed south after being seen in Gateshead, Derwent Water, and Teesdale.

The rest are firmly established in the Derwent Valley area