A HOOT was had by all when two owls swooped in for a visit at a Weymouth day centre- and one loved the camera so much, he gave it a wink.

Gizmo (pictured winking in to the camera) and his friend Barney were at The Acorns Day Centre in Weymouth with Mike Savage from the Soft Landings Animal Aid Association.

Gizmo is a White Faced Scops Owl, a breed native to the African savannah.

Barney, meanwhile, is a Barn owl, a breed widely settled across the UK and further afield.

The Acorns Day Centre provides an opportunity for older people and adults with a disability to meet in a safe environment and take part in a variety of activities.

Donkeys, dogs and tortoises have all visited service users in the past and staff saw this as another opportunity to provide service users something different.

Alison Williams, deputy manager of The Acorns Day Centre, said: “My colleague had heard of their reputation, which was really good. We thought we’d give it a go here.

“All of our users enjoyed it. It was a successful afternoon. Certainly we would be looking to invite them again with a different group of service users.

“It was a good way to engage people who are perhaps not usually as communicative.

“It was quite a relaxing afternoon. It was really quite engaging, therapeutic and something a bit different. It was just really nice for our service users.”

The picture of Gizmo was taken by Janet Craig, whose husband, John, regularly uses the centre’s services.

She said: “I’m into birds and they phoned me up and said I could come along.

“I sat where I was and took pictures from far away.”

Janet said the visit had a positive effect on the service users attending, causing many to smile and laugh.

She said: “It was seeing all their faces and what a difference it made. Some people had never even seen an owl.

“As soon as there was something going on, with the owls going round, you saw their faces light up.”

Mike Savage will be bringing his owls to Pets at Home, in Jubilee Retail Park, Weymouth on Saturday.

He is expected to be at the store from 11am.