NEVILLE Turner and his wife Chris have taken their love of birds to new heights - opening the North-East's first owl hospital.

The caring couple have nursed scores of sick and injured birds back to health in the shed at the bottom of their garden.

Big or little, tawny, barn, long eared or short eared, owls of all types are welcome in the hospital behind their detached home in Woodside, Barnard Castle, County Durham.

At one time, the couple had 14 tawny owls, and set them all free into the wild as soon as they were fit to look after themselves.

Mr Turner, a retired vet, said yesterday: "We have looked after well over 100 owls during the past few years, from tiny fluffy chicks to mature birds - so many that we've lost count.

"The little ones have often just got lost, but their parents manage to follow and keep watch on our garden until they are released. Then, they guide them home and look after them.

"The older birds have often been injured, either through flying into wires or being hit by a vehicle. We patch them up and feed them until they are fit, and then take them to woods to let them go."

Mr and Mrs Turner are so well known for their work that vets, farmers and friends from a wide area contact them as soon as they come across an owl that needs help.

Mr Turner, who retired three years ago, takes care of any treatment the birds require, while his wife acts as the practice nurse, giving the birds the tender loving care and food they need.

Mr Turner says anyone finding a young owl on the ground is best to pick it up gently and put it on the low branch of a tree, where its parents will probably find it and lead it home. Larger owls should be taken to a vet, who will probably treat it free of charge.

Last week, the couple released a little owl that had been found injured in Darlington. Another vet had fitted a splint to its broken leg, before sending it on to Mr and Mrs Turner to convalesce.

"We both love owls and are pleased to help them," said Mr Turner. "We always keep a large supply of suitable food for them in our deep freeze, ready for all new arrivals."

From time to time, the couple have treated other birds, such as kestrels, merlins and buzzards, but owls are their most regular patients. Sometimes, when they have baby owls in the aviary, adults will fly nearby and adopt them by passing food through wire netting for them. Then, when the babies are well enough to leave and are put outside, the foster parents collect them.

Mr Turner said: "It gives us enormous pleasure when we help an owl get fit and then see it going back to a normal life with other owls."