Meet Milo the Harris hawk, who was brought in to scare away pigeons at a school in Hounslow .

The bird of prey has been patrolling the skies above Cranford Community College since Christmas to keep them pigeon-free.

He has proved a hit with staff and students alike, even inspiring some soaring prose by his younger admirers.

Kevin Prunty, executive headmaster at the secondary school in High Street, Cranford , said: "This really is a case of killing two birds with one stone.

"The hawk is dealing with the local pigeon problem humanely while generating a great deal of interest from students.

"Teachers are able to make a wide variety of curriculum references to Milo including the life cycle and conservation. The English department is even using him as inspiration for a piece of creative writing."

Hawks are often used to control pigeon populations, without resorting to poison or other less humane methods.

They were most famously introduced in Trafalgar Square to clear the birds and prevent the statues and tourists getting covered in pigeon poo.