THE Shire Horse Centre in Cotebrook is alive with British animals and wildlife.

Owners Alistair and Janet King have been breeding shire horses at the centre for more than 30 years.

But as well as about 20 shire horses, the centre has a large selection of animals and birdlife, with many rare breeds.

The centre has been open to the public for four years and this is the first time it has remained open through the winter.

When people first visit, award-winning tour guides James and Mark are available to conduct personal tours.

Every animal at the centre, be it a bird of prey or 18-hand shire horse, has a story behind it.

Staff seem dedicated to their animals and genuinely concerned about their well-being, winning tourism awards for their friendly attitude toward visitors.

All the creatures are native to the UK and were bred in captivity or from rescue centres.

Janet showed me round last week, and my first encounter was with a Norfolk black turkey named MacDuff.

He and his three companions occupy a pen very close to the gift shop, greeting visitors eagerly - probably hoping for some food.

Feed is available to buy from the gift shop, so the turkeys are in a prime position.

Above the turkey pen is a squirrel run, which is home to two pairs of red squirrels. The squirrels arrived in September and have started to nest.

'There are a lot more wild birds here now,' said Janet. 'If I come down here late at night this place is alive with owls.'

There is a pair of buzzards and next door a pair of tawny owls nesting for the first time in 18 months, in a milk churn.

A barn owl is neighbour to the pair on the other side, followed by a little owl in the final pen, both of which are looking for mates.

Across from the birds of prey are four big black pigs - three sisters, and one lucky boar.

The centre spans 50 acres and the staff are busy creating walkways and signage at the site ready for the Easter holidays.

During the summer months the staff run cart rides around the facility, answering questions and pointing out less-conspicuous wildlife.

You can take to the fields on foot on marked walks of different lengths.

Janet introduced me to a family of goats - one of which is called Daisy and likes to climb trees.

Across the newly created pathway, rabbits and guinea pigs share an enclosure with fowl.

Charlie's Angel, the centre's latest addition, is a three-and-a-half-week-old shire foal.

Staff at the centre are expecting another foal any moment, as mare Kathleen is overdue.

When the heavens opened, Janet and I ran for the neighbouring Alvanley Arms, which the couple also owns, for a coffee.

Also expected to arrive during the next few months are a litter of pigs, a stag, tawny owl chicks and, hopefully, some baby red squirrels.

Alistair and Janet will be holding an open day in May to raise money for the Shire Horse Society. Watch this space for details.

The Shire Horse Centre, on the A49, is open from 10am-5pm every day except Tuesday. Admission is £4.95 for adults, £3.95 for concessions and £2.95 for children. Under-fives are free. A family ticket costs £14.50 and season tickets are available. For details, call 01829 760 506 or visit www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk.