The Potter phenomenon has been blamed for a surge in the number of people buying owls, emulating the young magician who keeps a snowy owl called Hedwig as a pet.

Now an animal sanctuary has opened on the Isle of Wight to help cope with the problem of owls dumped by owners who can no-longer care for them properly.

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Animal expert Don Walser, who has opened Newport Owl and Monkey Sanctuary, said: "The problem is that no license is required, anyone can buy an owl.

"They might look great in the Harry Potter films, but it takes years to train them. Children read the books and see the films and say to their mums and dads they want one and parents don't realize how much care it takes to look after them.

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