A BIRD of prey seen flying around Christ Church in Old Town has been a regular visitor for the past six years, it has emerged.

Janet French, whose home in Cricklade Street overlooks the church, contacted the Evening Advertiser following a story we ran about a bird believed to be a peregrine falcon being spotted flying from the spire.

Mrs French has caught the bird on camera (right) but admitted she has tried to keep it a closely guarded secret for fear that it may be in danger.

"The falcon has been coming to the spire since 1997," she said. "He seems to like it as he has a great view of the area from there.

"Only a handful of people in the area know about it and they have been reluctant to publicise it because there may be people out there who want to harm it."

According to Mrs French, it is a fair weather bird and only makes an appearance on sunny summer days.

She said: "I have never seen him in the winter. He's a really amazing creature."

Like the staff at the church, Mrs French has also seen evidence of the bird's unusual appetite.

She said: "I've seen him eat fairly big pigeons and even a large seagull before. I am pretty sure that he does not live in the church, however. I have only ever seen one bird if there was a nest there would be a pair."

Mick Page also contacted us after reading Saturday's article.

He last spotted the bird five weeks ago in the garden of his home in nearby Bampton Grove.

He said: "I was inside when I looked out and saw the bird no more than four metres away from me. I couldn't believe it it gave me a bit of a shock. It was a marvellous sight though."

Paul Castle, of the Wiltshire Ornithological Society, said: "Peregrine falcons are a rare species and the people of Swindon should be very proud to have one. They are an absolutely fantastic bird."

"They feed on a variety of prey including pigeons and starlings. I'm sure the council will be pleased to have one. It's a natural way of dealing with the mess that pigeons cause to buildings."