A POPULAR wildlife sanctuary in Cliviger has closed.

Rockwater Bird Centre would normally be reopening now after closing in October for the winter. But owners Cheryl and Paul Thomas have decided to call it a day and shut for good.

A closed sign has recently been put up at the sanctuary after visitors had turned up hoping to look round.

Changes in the zoo licensing laws have been blamed for the closure of the centre, on Foxstones Lane, off Red Lees Road.

It was started by Paul and Cheryl in 1991 and soon became a well-visited attraction for families living in and visiting the area, pulling in more than 17,000 people a year.

The couple collected breeds of birds from every continent, including pheasants, herons, ibis, kestrels and buzzards.

In addition to birds, the centre was also home to rare breeds of sheep including brown soay and Portland and goats.

The centre was also a popular choice for school trips and had a classroom where children could see newly hatched chicks and handle other animals, including guinea pigs and rabbits.

Cliviger ward councillor David Heginbotham said: "It was the zoo licence that caused the centre to close - the owners had so many hoops to jump through that they decided to throw in the towel.

"It is a shame because a tourist attraction that brought a lot of people into Cliviger has been lost. It was also a valuable educational resource."