A BIRD of prey centre has taken on a golden eagle to help boost its breeding programme.

Sion Hall Birds of Prey and Conservation Centre, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has added the 13lb bird, named Boudicca, to its stock.

The animal has a six foot wingspan.

New head falconer Alan Horseman said: "She arrived in March and will mainly be used for breeding.

"We have a male golden eagle and we plan to use out-of-season hunting days to bring the pair together."

The eagle was one of a pair held by a private collector who was going abroad.

The centre also has some white-tailed sea eagles it hopes to breed.

It has welcomed four new falconers in Lucy Higginbottom, Angelea McNuilty, Daniel Lawson and James Robinson.