Owls perch at Littlehampton’s Look & Sea Centre for the day

East Preston-based Owls About Town made an appearance at the town’s Look & Sea Centre to launch the half-term festivities at the Surrey Street visitor attraction.

About 100 people took the opportunity to stroke, hold and feed the various birds of prey, which included a Harris hawk, two barn owls, a little owl and a European eagle owl.

Nick Carter, manager of Look & Sea, said the day was a “fantastic” experience for all those who took part.

“The morning was absolutely fantastic,” he said. “Owls About Town was here for more than an hour and we must have had well over 100 people visiting the display.

“Everyone who took part seemed fascinated by the whole experience, especially the children.”

Andy Kendall, owner of Owls About Town, said that he was amazed by the level of attendance at the event.

“I honestly couldn’t believe how many people came. It was a real shock,” he admitted. “The children were a bit scared at first because many of them haven’t seen an owl or hawk up close before. But our birds are so friendly, they soon forgot about it.”

Andy, who set up the venture two years ago, said his aim was to try to educate people about birds of prey, which he says have suffered a decline in numbers over the past three decades.