Two foxes at Weston Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre have fantastic meeting celebrating World Book Day

A fantastic meeting between two foxes took place at a wildlife centre.

Weston St Mary Primary School pupil Bobby Ellis-Birdsall, 8, dressed as Fantastic Mr Fox on World Book Day and got together with Rebel, a resident at Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre to celebrate.

Bobby’s dad Mark is the manager of the Weston centre – and they have been caring for four-year-old Rebel since he was a cub.

Mr Birdsall said: “Bobby’s favourite book is Fantastic Mr Fox and off he trotted dressed as the character on World Book Day.

“It is a book he has always loved – and the movie – he just loves the whole concept as a story.”

Rebel is tame having been reared in the Birdsall family home during lockdown.

Mr Birdsall said: “We have had tame foxes for the last ten years.

“When the schools come round the foxes we have are tame with a collar and lead on – almost like a dog so they can stroke them.

“Red foxes are quite a controversial species – half of the people hate them as they have fox problems and they get at chickens but we have always had them with the school groups.”

Rebel is tame enough for visitors to feed him and foxes in captivity live for nine to 10 years according to Mr Birdsall.

A new cub will keep Rebel company and Mr Birdsall added: “The cubs get a lot of attention in the play pen.”