Sarah Pugh and Abbie Taylor winners of ‘name the peregrine falcon chick’ competition

Councillor Janet Emsley with prize winner Sarah Pugh of Parkfield Primary School, Middleton

Sarah Pugh and Abbie Taylor were amongst the winners in a ‘name the peregrine falcon chick’ competition.

Abbie, who attends Smithy Bridge Primary School, named one of the chicks ‘Perrie’ while Sarah, who goes to Parkfield Primary, Middleton suggested ‘Freddie Falcon’.

The girls each received a £20 voucher to spend at Rochdale Town Hall Clock Tower Restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the borough’s most historic building.

Other winning names for the four young chicks, who are all thriving, came from James Walsh with ‘Millennium Falcon’ and Alistair Whitehead who chose ‘El Superfasto’.

Hundreds of entries flooded in, from across the borough and beyond, leaving the judging panel with the task of plucking out just four winners.

A number of local schools entered into the spirit of the competition, with Smithy Bridge pupils designing a model of the Town Hall, complete with a peregrine falcon nesting area.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Rochdale Council cabinet member for culture, said: “It was great to see school children entering the naming competition; many congratulations to Sarah and Abbie on their inspired and fitting names.

"The competition was fun and engaging, so a huge thanks to everyone who took the time to suggest names for our feathered friends.”