The Royal Air Force Museum is playing host to birds of prey in a week-long event giving young visitors the opportunity to handle the birds and watch flight displays.

The event, in Aerodrome Road, Colindale, is commemorating the link between birds of prey and the RAF, who often name planes, such as the Harrier, after the birds in recognition of their hunting abilities and agility.

Children have the opportunity to hold the hand-reared birds, which range from a seven ounce kestrel named Bentley, to a seven-and-a-half pound bald eagle called McCoy. When not on display the birds, owned by the English School of Falconry, are put to work on airfields to prevent birds strikes when the planes are taking off and landing.

They do this by scaring away other birds.

Richard Ganfield, 6, from Highgate, had the opportunity to hold a kestrel and said: "It was really exciting. The bird is really friendly."

There will be three free displays every day at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm on the helipad followed by a supervised handling session.

Between the shows the birds will be on display to the public from 12.15pm to 1.15pm, 2.15pm to 3.15pm and 4.15pm to 5pm in the Dermot Boyle Wing.

The event will run until Wednesday 11.

Abdul Aziz, 5, who had come with his family to see the birds, said: "I can't wait to see the birds fly, but I hope they don't eat me i