A bird sanctuary which looks after owls, including two of Paul O’Grady’s, is under threat amid rising costs.

Brian Maxted launched the rescue centre from his home in Folkestone in 1989 after falling in love with the “beautiful” creatures.

The 87-year-old would raise money to cover the costs of looking after the animals by doing displays in the town and getting donations.

But four years ago the council told him he would need a license to continue doing this.

This prompted Brian and his partner, Barbara Mills, to start using their pensions to buy everything needed for the owls, as well as relying on people donating after visiting – something which they do not charge for.

The pair currently have 35 birds in their care and have had up to 50 before. Two of these are male and female barn owls previously owned by Liverpudlian comedian Paul O’Grady who died last year.

“Paul O’Grady bought a barn owl off of me and the two I have now are the family of the one I sold to him,” Mr Maxted said.

“No one else wanted to take the owls on but I said I would find room for them.”

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, Mr Maxted says all of the birds in his care may have to be rehomed, or as a last resort put down if he cannot afford to keep looking after them.

Any rescued from the wild can be set free if they are well enough, but any born in captivity cannot as they do not have hunting skills.

Mr Maxted added: “People can come and see the owls free of charge but if they can afford to make a donation, that would be great.

“The amount of people who come here and don’t donate is quite a lot. Even if they gave me £1, it’s £1 I didn’t have.”

The pensioner says looking after the owls gives him a reason to get up in the morning so he is desperate to do everything he can to make sure he can keep going.

“I’ll go without something because the owls are more important to me,” he said.

“If things get tighter, everything is going up in price, it would be the last resort to shut down.

“Having the owls put down would be the last resort – we really don’t want that to happen.

“We’ve even sold things from our home to make some money.

“I was in love straight away, I was really smitten when I saw a beautiful white barn owl for the first time.”

Mr Maxted is also keen for anyone who may be able to help look after the owls as he gets older to contact him.

Anyone who may be able to donate towards the owl's food and maintenance of their enclosure are asked to call the sanctuary on 01303 259 794 or visit them at 57 Downs Road, Folkestone.