A PAIR of peregrine falcons who have made their home in Worcester now have four eggs waiting to hatch.

The rare birds, which are the world's fastest animals, have laid their eggs in a specially built nesting box on St Andrew's Spire in Deansway.

But thanks to CCTV cameras placed at the top of the spire, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - who are keeping a close eye on the pair - have counted four.

Ross Lawford, RSPB peregrine project officer, said he was excited to eventually see the eggs.

"It wasn't until we were able to play the footage back that we were able to see four," he said. "Eggs get laid about every two days, so it is six days worth. Four is a really good number as the average is about three.

"There have been cases of five but it is still quite rare to be that amount in the nest, so we are really pleased."

The eggs, which have a 33-day gestation period, are expected to hatch around Tuesday, April 22 The charity has again this year set up a stall at the base of the spire, manned by volunteers, to help people spot the birds, and it has attracted up to 100 visitors a day.

Volunteer Patrick Jones, who helps the charity every Thursday, said it was nice to see so many people coming to see the falcons.

"There is a lot of interest in the birds and when they hear about them being here they like to come and have a look," she said.

The charity plans to be at the spire or outside Worcester's Guildhall until the beginning of July.

Peregrine falcons, which can reach speeds of more than 200mph, have become increasingly common in city centres in recent years, with tall buildings replacing their traditional cliff-face nesting ground.

At one point, in the 1950s, there were just 360 breeding pairs in the UK, but the figure has now risen to 1,500.

The live nestcam link, which has been set up in partnership with the Worcester City Council, is expected to go online later this week.