Children at a Braithwaite school hosted a visit from one of their feathered namesakes.

Bird of prey experts took a merlin to Merlin Top Primary School for two days of special lessons.

Youngsters also got up close to an owl and a hawk, which had been taken along by SMJ Falconry.

The SMJ team, based near Oxen-hope, allowed pupils to handle the birds and feed them.

Merlin Top staff member Louisa Hinitt said the lessons covered several subject areas, including maths, science and conservation.

Children studied the history of falconry, and examined the birds’ droppings to research what they had eaten!

Lessons were funded by the Countryside Alliance through its Falconry for Schools project.