Harry Potter creator J K Rowling is being asked to back a plea by the director of the National Bird of Prey Centre at Newent.

Jemima Parry-Jones MBE is writing to the author asking her to somehow stress that owls do not make good pets.

Mrs Parry-Jones says she really likes the Harry Potter books but is concerned about what could happen when the breeding season for owls arrives.

The centre has had inquiries from as far afield as Japan concerning snowy owls, the breed kept by Harry.

Mrs Parry-Jones said: "People need to understand that you can't keep owls in parrot cages, that they eat mice and rats and that they live for 35 years.

"The most difficult owl to keep is the snowy owl."

She drew attention to one passage in Harry Potter where the young wizard feeds his owl, Hedwig, with a piece of bacon rind.

Mrs Parry Jones said: "In that case, he has a dead owl because of the salt content."

To give people a better understanding of owls, the centre plans to run Harry Potter Treasure Hunts in 2002. These will be followed by expert teach-ins on owls.

Owl open evenings at the centre have proved to be very popular this December, with up to 90 people attending each one.

More are planned for the New Year, with the first one taking place on Saturday, February 9. Bookings are already being taken, on 01531 820286.