Celebrities handling hawks could be one of the highlights of a 'farewell to Newent' party being planned by the National Birds of Prey Centre.

The centre has opened for one final season under current ownership, after a move to America was delayed before Christmas.

Owner Jemima Parry-Jones is now expecting to keep her collection in Newent until November before taking 250 rare birds to South Carolina.

Mrs Parry-Jones took the decision to stay put following a US outbreak of West Nile Virus among birds of prey.

The farewell party is one of the ideas being discussed for the last year, in late summer or early autumn. It is still hoped the centre will re-open in some form under new owners.

New arrivals are already hatching out at the centre, including two tawny eagle babies this week.