'If you hear a bird, you're on edge': primary school terrorised by Brenda the buzzard

A buzzard called Brenda has been terrorising a primary school on the outskirts of London, sending children running for cover while neighbours have been dive-bombed as they put out the bins.

- Sally Weale

Pupils at Dame Tipping primary school in the village of Havering-atte-Bower, in the London borough of Havering, have been told they cannot play outside while the bird remains a threat.

Neighbours, meanwhile, who have reported multiple sightings – and a number of attacks – over the past few months have been advised to carry a large coloured umbrella as a possible deterrent whenever they go out.

"She's huge," said the headteacher, Stella McCarthy, who has had a number of close encounters with Brenda. "She's really, really big. Her wingspan is pretty much my arm span. It's quite frightening.

"When you see her perched somewhere, it's lovely. You think, what a beautiful bird. But when you're outside and you hear that squawk, you don't have much time. You know she's coming down."