THE County’s iconic avian symbol, the Great Bustard, was celebrated at a reception and fundraising event in Marlborough last Wednesday in the town hall for around 100 guests.

Nicky Alberry, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire hosted the evening along with David Scott who is nominated as the next High Sheriff, in order to raise awareness of the county’s rarest bird.

After an introduction by Nicky Alberry, David Waters of the Great Bustard Group gave a resume of what had been achieved since the group was set up by him over 14 years ago.

There are now 80 Great Bustards on Salisbury Plain with several chicks hatched from the indigenous birds but supplemented from eggs from Spain where there is a larger population.

The event also raised cash for the group with the sale of silk ties, while food and drink was supplied from local firms who support the Great Bustard project.

For more information visit http://greatbustard.org