Television star Robson Green has put a feather in the cap of a Carlisle bird of prey centre, choosing it as a filming location for his latest show.

The actor and presenter paid a visit on Friday to the Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre in Thurstonfield, just outside of Carlisle, in order to film for his new show, due to be aired on Channel 5 at the end of September.

Robson, 55, best known for his starring roles in dramas Soldier, Soldier and Wire in the Blood, had come to the centre to see young Pedro, a spectacled owl born during lockdown, in action.

Pedro, a tropical owl native to Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, has been hand-reared at the site, and is now flying as part of the Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre’s display team.

His flight on Friday, however, was the first time on film for the young star.

Gary Swainson, who runs the Thurstonfield centre, was on hand to guide Robson through the fundamentals of handling the spectacled owl.

“Robson was a natural with the birds and was very personal with me and the volunteers here,” said Gary, 49, adding that Robson found the time to sign autographs for a fan.

“He was charming and easy company.

“He was really impressed with the set-up here and how we have managed to reopen safely.”

The Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre reopened in July after closing, along with most other businesses, due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

The centre, which has had a home on the outskirts of Carlisle for 27 years, has reopened with a host of extra measures to ensure compliance with all the necessary coronavirus guidelines, and is offering private group experiences to give local people the confidence to enjoy a day out safely.

While at the centre, Robson also filmed a special video in recognition of the fundraising efforts carried out there to help raise money for local youngster, Stanley Dalton, who has travelled to Singapore for live-saving treatment.