A RARE bird - a Little Egret - has settled at the RSPB's Northward Hill nature reserve at High Halstow, near Rochester.

The RSPB is putting on a special heron open day this coming Sunday when visitors will be invited to see the UK's largest colony of nesting herons - along with the Little Egret.

The event is free and will run between 11am and 4pm. Perry Haines, of the RSPB, said: "To be able to see them at their nesting site is a privilege that we hope many people will come to share."

The whole colony, the woods the birds nest in and the hill the woods stand on would be bulldozed if the Cliffe airport plans get the go-ahead.

Visitors should make their way to High Halstow village and follow the blue RSPB signs to the heron car park. An RSPB volunteer will be on hand to answer questions and point out what is going on in the colony.

For more information, telephone the RSPB regional office on 01273 775333.