First Bath peregrine falcon chick hatches

The first peregrine falcon chick of 2012 has hatched at a nesting platform on a church tower in Bath.

The birds of prey began nesting on the spire of St John the Evangelist Church in 2004 and return every year.

The Hawk and Owl Trust confirmed that the first egg successfully hatched on Tuesday "when one chick was observed as the female left for a brief break".

Peregrines are protected birds in the UK and the RSPB said their numbers were still low.

Mike Rogers, from the trust, said the pair laid four eggs "but one disappeared".

The peregrines are being monitored by conservationists via a video camera at the nest platform.