Oakworth girl Holly Minnikin has come face to face with the bird of prey which attacked her during a family walk.

The giant European eagle owl swooped on her as she strolled across Ilkley Moor.

The bird - believed to have escaped from captivity - had been plaguing visitors to the moor for some time.

Now, following the owl's capture by Bradford Council's countryside service, six-year-old Holly has met the feathered forager close up.

She was taken by father Stuart to see the bird - the largest species of owl in the world - at the Shipley home of licensed keeper Geoff Surtees. He was caring for the creature temporarily until it was found a permanent home.

Stuart, a Keighley-based firefighter, said: "We got the opportunity to see the owl at close quarters, and Holly was quite keen to go along. It was an impressive bird. Initially Holly was a bit scared of it, but she soon got used to it and even managed to give it a stroke. However, she wasn't quite brave enough to hold it!

"The owl had apparently been found a home in Rutland, so we were pleased we had the chance to see it before it was taken away."