Sponsors are needed as wildlife worker Maria Evans struggles to feed a large number of homeless owls taken into her care.

Following the closure of an animal sanctuary in West Sussex, Maria has taken on 14 of the birds at her Tinker's Hill rescue centre in Amroth.

These birds, ranging from tawny, Bengalese and barn owls to European eagle owls, provide Maria with a big challenge, writes Bethan Russell, a pupil at Sir Thomas Picton School, who has been on work experience at the Observer offices this week.

"They have already taken up a large amount of room at Tinker's Hill, and will cost £1,000 a year just to feed, and it's not as if I can just pop down to the supermarket for a tin of cat or dog food for them, as they need specialist feed," said Maria, who established the Bird of Prey and Swan Rescue Centre with her husband David over 20 years ago.

"The problem is I have no history on the owls, and none of them are suitable for rehoming," she continued.

Maria now hopes a sponsorship package will help to raise donations so that she can continue to look after these birds of prey.

As they are wild, the owls should have as little contact with people as possible, so the centre is not open to the public.

However, anyone sponsoring the birds will receive in return, a photograph, a Tinker's Hill newsletter, a certificate of sponsorship and possibly the chance to name one of the owls they sponsor.

For further information, contact Maria on 01834 814397, or email her on [email protected]">[email protected]

You can also visit the website at http://www.tinkershill.org">www.tinkershill.org