Wedding rings duties for barn owl

Look at Casber the owl in training Enlarge Image

A barn owl has been entrusted with a very special task at a wedding - flying in the rings for the bride and groom.

Three-year-old Casber will swoop down the aisle to give the rings to the best man at the wedding of bird owner Islwyn Jones's daughter Jenni in Denbighshire.

Mr Jones said Casber has been training hard and is confident the wedding will go smoothly at Ruthin register office.

Jenni, 22, who is marrying Stuart Desborough, said: "It will be unique".

Mr Jones, of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Ruthin, has been dubbed the bird man of north Wales.

He said: "Casber is highly trained. He will not lose the rings. He knows what to do,

"He will fly the rings in to the happy couple to complete their special day."

There is no chance of him disappearing with the rings Jenni Jones, bride

Handler Katie Townend will be in charge of flying Casber at the wedding on 20 January while proud Islwyn will give his daughter away.

Jenni, a learning support assistant at Brynhyfryd School in Ruthin, said: "Casber will bring the rings in for the best man. It will be lovely. I can't wait."

She said that she had every confidence in her father and his birds and knew nothing would go wrong.

"It will be lovely to see and very interesting," she said.

"There is no chance of him disappearing with the rings. I have watched him train. It's going to be brilliant."

The couple are getting married at Ruthin Register Office with a celebration at Faenol Fawr at Bodelwyddan.

Mr Jones said it was only right that Casber should be at his daughter's wedding and taking part in the marriage service.

His birds of prey helped turn his life around after serious injury in a car crash and he now helps others get confidence to return to work through his birds.

He had bred and collected various species of birds of prey on his farm, and organises falconry experience days.