Master potters Alan Parris and Billy Byles, who both work in Aylesford Pottery, based at Aylesford Priory, proved they were no knaves by coming to the rescue of an injured kestrel.

Mr Parris said: "I came out of the pottery studio and noticed a young kestrel by the door.

"It had orange legs which were very visible.

"I got to within about 20 feet before it hopped off. Then I realised it had an injured wing and couldn’t fly.

"It just stood next to an oak tree where it was really well camouflaged”.

He called for his colleague Mr Byles to ring the RSPCA, while he kept an eye on the bird.

Mr Byles said: “The RSPCA arrived very quickly. Between us, we surrounded the kestrel with a net and managed to secure it.”

Apart from the damage to its wing, the young kestrel was found to be in good health, and it is expected to make a full recovery at the RSPCA rescue centre near Hastings, before being released back into the wild.

Mr Byles said: "There was no obvious reason for the bird’s injury, so the presumption is that it could have been injured during the high winds."

The pottery studio seems popular with the local wildlife.

Last year two pairs of robins set-up nests actually inside the studio space.

Aylesford Pottery, at The Friars, is taking part in the Kent Big Weekend open day festival on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, when you will be welcome to visit.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.