The people behind the release of white-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight are to expand their project to Norfolk.

Government conservation agency Natural England has awarded a licence to the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, working with East Anglia's rewilding project Wild Ken Hill.

Up to 60 juvenile birds will be released, over 10 years, at the site in west Norfolk.

It comes after the successful Isle of Wight scheme, run by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England.

According to PA, in Norfolk, 91 per cent of people responding to a public consultation backed the idea - and 63 per cent of farmers supported it.

Isle of Wight County Press: From the Isle of Wight to Norfolk, the white-tailed eagle project is expanding.

The majestic birds have a wingspan of up to 8ft and they will start to appear in Norfolk from 2022.

Six of the birds released on the Isle of Wight have spent time in the rural county in the past year, but conservationists say it will take a long time for the species to increase its population and re-colonise the area without extra help.

The aim is to establish a small breeding population, of about six to 10 pairs.

Roy Dennis said, “The breeding biology of white-tailed eagles means that although young birds range extensively in their early years, they usually return to their natal area to breed.

“However, if, in the future, young birds from other populations encounter a small breeding population of white-tailed eagles in East Anglia, they may be encouraged to stay.”

One of the Island's birds, meanwhile, has opted to make Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire among her favourite haunts.