A COUPLE have vowed to continue helping injured and neglected wildlife despite the closure of their bird of prey sanctuary.

Neil and Juliana Fowler had to close the Scotton Owl and Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, which they ran from their home in Scotton, near Richmond, after they lost a planning appeal.

But the couple said that although they could no longer take in injured birds, they would keep offering advice and information to the public.

Mrs Fowler, 44, said: "When we were running the sanctuary, we were here for injured birds.

"We cannot do that now, but that does not mean we cannot give advice to people.

"We have a lot of friends that are able to take in injured birds, and we have built up so many contacts over the years. We can still point people in the right direction."

The couple set up the sanctuary in their garden in 1998.

The Fowlers estimate that before its closure, the centre released about 45 birds back into the wild every year.

Richmondshire District Council refused the couple's application for retrospective planning permission for the sanctuary after residents raised objections about increased traffic, noise and the number of visitors.

Mr and Mrs Fowler appealed, but in June, planning inspector Richard Mordey backed the council's decision.

He said the sanctuary led to conditions that people in the area should not have to endure.

Mrs Fowler said the closure of the sanctuary had been a sad event for them.

Although many of the birds cared for were re-homed, two buzzards had to be put down.

She said: "I think Richmondshire Council moved the goalposts.

"The sanctuary opened in 1998 and they knew we were here, but it wasn't until 2003 that they decided we needed planning permission."

From today, the couple will take over the running of the Independent Bird Register, which helps reunite lost or stolen owls and raptors with their owner.

People who find an injured or lost bird of prey and need advice from the couple are asked to call (0870) 6088500.