Baby tawny owl given soft toys after being rescued and taken to Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, in Stonham Barns, near Stowmarket

A baby tawny owl has been given a family of surrogate siblings in the form of soft toys after being rescued.

Sid, believed to be just 10 days old, was brought to Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, in Stonham Barns, near Stowmarket, after being found cold on the ground.

The first tawny owlet of the year to arrive at their Raptor hospital, staff feared Sid may not survive.

However staff had the genius idea to help him – by giving him soft, cuddly toys to act as surrogate siblings.

A spokesperson from Suffolk Owl Sanctuary said: "All the soft toys were donated and they help to give comfort to single babies received by the Sanctuary.

"In the nest, they would snuggle into their siblings for warmth and comfort, so the toys replicate that."

They added that another young orphan of about the same age was rescued by the Sanctuary yesterday morning and would join Sid.

Once old enough, four or five of the fledglings would be lodged together in a 'hack pen' where they would be monitored and fed as they gradually acclimatised for a safe release back into the wild.

The Sanctuary said owlets required specialist care and food to ensure they could be successfully released back into the wild once fully grown.