LIBERTY the bald eagle spread his wings to help a new bird of prey and reptile centre rise like a phoenix from the ashes of the owl sanctuary in the New Forest.

Preened and posing for the cameras, the giant bird of prey has provided the name and the new image for Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre.

Based in Crow, on the outskirts of Ringwood, Liberty's has been salvaged on the site of the former New Forest Owl Sanctuary which was closed after its owner was convicted of illegally selling and displaying animals.

Bruce Berry of Hightown, Ringwood, was also found guilty of stealing a falcon and ordered to carry out a 240-hour community punishment order following a trial that left him with a £10,000 bill for costs.

Months of wrangles with the trustees of the failed owl sanctuary charity over the fate of the 250 birds followed.

Council planners also blocked the opening of the educational tourist attraction, but that was another hurdle to be later overcome by new owners Giles Talbot and his partner Linda Bridges when the matter ended up in the hands of a government inspector who ruled in their favour.

But on Saturday that battle became history as New Forest MP Desmond Swayne cut the ceremonial ribbon across the entrance to the complex of aviaries and vivariums.

Liberty was the star of show as he wowed the audience of invited VIP guests. Mr Swayne, who boldly presented his own gloved fist for Liberty to perch on, praised the efforts of Mr Talbot and Miss Bridges to salvage the troubled site after an 18-month battle with bureaucracy.

He said: "I really do congratulate them for having overcome every block that was put in their way. This is going to be a tremendous facility for Ringwood."

Mr Talbot, 40, who previously displayed Liberty and his collection of other birds and animals at a wildlife park in Sussex, took over the Crow Lane site in the summer of 2003.

The centre remained closed to the public while Mr Talbot, who has ploughed about £200,000 into the project, waited on the outcome of a two-day public inquiry in the summer.

"We are delighted to be open at last," said Mr Talbot, before presenting the first of what will be twice-daily flying displays.

As well as Liberty and the other spectacular birds of prey including eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, buzzards and falcons the centre also boasts some equally enormous and exotic reptile and spider specimens.

Cuddles the Burmese python stretches his scaly snakeskin to 16 feet and tips the scales at 11 stones.

But Cuddles is not the only heavyweight on the Liberty bill. There are the 55lb African spur-thighed tortoises, iguanas, water dragons, chameleons and other lizards.