A kestrel has been released back into its habitat after being saved by school children.

The youngsters at forest school Wild At Heart Learning in Nurstead Woods, Meopham, came across the bird of prey attempting to climb up a tree earlier this month.

The bird, named Esme, was dehydrated and unable to fly due to significant bruising on its right wing.

Following her discovery, co-owners and leaders at the school Julia Slade and Gilly Beeching secured Esme and contacted animal rescuer Carly Ahlen, from GABO Wildlife.

She has been treating the bird ever since and has now released her back into her territorial range in Meopham.

Carly said: "It was a magical moment to get to watch Esme fly so strongly, she surfed the wind, hovering so perfectly and even took a moment to look back at me, I shed a tear or two of joy".

The animal rescuer said without the children spotting her, the kestrel would not have survived.

“She is lucky to be alive,” Carly added. “The children are real wildlife warriors.”