A MAN has taken on the challenge to bring red kites back to the North-East.

The Northern Kites initiative has selected Keith Bowey to oversee and manage the return of the majestic birds of prey to the region after an absence of at least 150 years.

The birds will be introduced to the wild at Gateshead's Derwent Valley this summer.

The five-year project is a world first in re-introducing them into a semi-urban environment.

Northern Kites is managed by English Nature and The RSPB, in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, The National Trust and The Forestry Commission, with additional funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund.

One of Mr Bowey's most important jobs will be to collect young red kites from a donor population in the south of England.

He will be responsible for the welfare of the birds until they are released in July.

He will also help local people watch and learn about the kites.

A Newcastle University graduate who has managed the Durham Biodiversity Plan for five years, Mr Bowey is a well-known ornithologist and naturalist.

He said: "I am tremendously excited by the task ahead.

"There has been huge interest and support locally for the proposal to return red kites to the North-East since the first announcement of the plan last year."