A LARGE bird of prey has been found dead on a South Lakeland farm by a Preston walker.

Brian Gornall was walking on the fells in Dent when he discovered a large bird.

“It was a beautiful looking bird and I would like to think it was pretty important,” said Mr Gornall, who grew up in Dent.

“It looked very similar to a golden eagle. If you come from the country you come across dead birds but I was just shocked to see how beautiful it was.”

Mr Gornall, whose brother is a poultry farmer in Dent, found the bird at around 3.30pm on August 25.

He described it as a ‘lightish brown’ colour with a missing right foot.

The other foot and its legs are yellow, and it has a number ‘18’ imprinted on one of the wings, which are black on the edges.

He found the bird about half a mile away from Dent railway station on a path running off Coal Road.

For details on the missing bird, or if you think the bird may be yours, contact Mr Gornall on 01772 686844.