TWO Peregrine falcon chicks that hatched high above on the former Thwaites tower have fledged the nest.

Thwaites brewery confirmed the two chicks have now left the nest after hatching several weeks ago.

The brewery told the Lancashire Telegraph two chicks were born in a nest which was discovered in the spring and forced them to reschedule demolition work on the iconic landmark.

John Draper, estates director at Daniel Thwaites, said: "We are delighted to say that the peregrine falcon who nested on the old brewery tower had two chicks.

"Our ecologist has a camera monitoring their progress and has been keeping an eye on them over the past few weeks.

"They have now fledged the nest, although as they are still coming and going we will not be demolishing the tower until our ecologist is confident they have completely dispersed."

Birdspotter Gerard Raynor saw a male and female nesting near the iconic lettering on the brewery tower.

The 60-year-old, who has been a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for 30 years, told the Lancashire Telegraph he saw the falcons there at the start of April through his binoculars.

This prompted the brewery to inspect the site and a week later it confirmed three eggs had been found at the tower, facing Barbara Castle Way.