Record number of barn owl chicks hatch in Howardian Hills

A record number of barn owl chicks have hatched in the Howardian Hills.

A conservation project to increase the number of the owls in North Yorkshire has taken place over the past few years.

A total of 80 barn owl boxes were strategically placed, resulting in 61 chicks being ringed this year.

Local farmer Frances Standen, who helped oversee the project, said: "Over the last three years we've gone from five barn owl chicks in the Howardian Hills, up to 60 barn owl chicks this year, which is a fantastic result."