FEATHERED friends will be keeping fear at bay during the spooky season at Beningbrough Hall this half-term.

Visitors to the National Trust mansion north of York will be able to don a special owl mask and go on a owl-themed art trail in its gardens to find 14 owl sculptures. They will also be able to book a place on a twilight nature walk to find real-life wild owls and bats.

Owls and raptors from The Wise Owl Birds of Prey Centre near Huddersfield will swoop in to give flying displays and show their feathers on October 25-27 and November 1-3.

Indoors, there will be owl themed craft workshops on October 24 and October 31.

A storyteller will tell spooky tales on Halloween when visitors are invited to don frightening fancy dress.

The owl fortnight runs from October 21 to November 5. The hall is closed on Mondays.