AN exotic array of species at a North Yorkshire bird centre have welcomed the newest recruit.

Eighteen-year-old Laura Connolly has become a trainee falconer at Sion Hill Hall birds of prey centre, near Thirsk, and already knows the characters and peculiarities of most of the birds.

She has spent time getting to know the many vultures, kookaburras and eagles at the centre and shows no fear when handling Mr Baggot - a European eagle owl - the world's largest species of owl.

Joining forces with falconer Ben Potter, she will be taking over this weekend when he leaves the £30,000 collection of birds and takes his first holiday for three years.

"I am nervous about leaving them all but Laura has done remarkably well over the past week and has taken in an amazing amount," he said.

Ben said that it would be some time before Laura has built up respect from the birds, a relationship he has spent eight years developing.

"Birds are like small children, they need a lot of attention, but there is no love given back - they bond with food and trust," he said.

Having finished sixth form college in York, Laura knew instinctively that this was the job for her. "Working outdoors with these birds is fantastic - I couldn't imagine doing anything else," she said.

"I know there is still a lot to learn from Ben before I develop the kind of relationship that he has with the birds."

The centre will be open to the public from March 1.

For details, call (01845) 587522.