PUPILS who adopted the two hen harriers who disappeared without a trace in September are said to be devastated.

Females Sky and Hope were among nine chicks to fledge from two nests on the United Utilities Bowland Estate in The Forest of Bowland this year.

Children at Brennand’s Endowed Primary School in Church Street, Slaidburn, adopted five chicks earlier this year.

The rare birds were reported missing after their solar-powered satellite tags stopped transmitting.

Headteacher Charlotte Peregrine said: “The children are devastated. We are a really small rural school and everything that goes on in the community our pupils get really passionate about.

“They are really upset and it’s really sad as a group of children actually were able to go and visit the chicks before they disappeared.

“We were really lucky to have been invited to take part in the first place.”