CHILDREN at an Andover school made a new feathered friend.

Pupils from Anton Infant School got up close and personal to Troy the owl in their classroom as part of a naturethemed topic.

The Year R youngsters had been studying the birds after reading the book Owl Babies – and to mark the conclusion of the topic, they were able to see the real thing.

Lou Ritchie from the Hawk Conservancy was on hand to teach the children about owls and allow them to hold their special visitor.

The experience was laid on thanks to funding from Andoverbased Be Wiser Insurance, which has an owl as its logo.

Year R teacher, Kath Gigg, said: “The children really enjoyed it and the owl was beautifully behaved throughout.

“Having the real-life experience of seeing it, children were able to go back to the classroom and draw it.

“Children’s talking is a big thing – to be able to discuss things because they are real you get a lot more out of them.”