THREE rare White Storks have been spotted in Dalton.

Mesmerised residents who got a glimpse of the bird were left impressed by their beauty as they walked and flew around Standing Tarn.

The impressive birds had reportedly been seen on a number of days last week.

According to The British List, which includes all 619 species of birds recorded in a wild or apparently wild state in Britain, the White Stork is a former breeder and a scarce visitor to Britain.

The British Trust for Ornithology website states that there are just 28 recorded White Stork sightings per year in Britain.

The carnivorous White Storks are white-bodied with black feathers on the lower half of their wing, with adults sporting red beaks.

Tyrone Anderson and Richard Rayner managed to see the birds from a short distance.

Mr Anderson believes the birds originated from South Lakes Safari Zoo, where they roam freely in the attraction.

The zoo list White Storks on their website as residing there, however it is not known whether these particular White Storks at Standing Tarn belong to them.

Mr Anderson said: “Though they have come from the zoo, these majestic birds were once seen wild in British isles. It is nice to see them in our natural landscapes and was very unexpected.”

Another spotter, Nigel Saul, a volunteer for Bardsea Bird Sanctuary, said he was not sure if they came from the zoo.

He said: “I don’t know, it’s a tricky one. 40 years ago I lived in Swarthmoor and what you get now you didn’t get then - the egrets, the ospreys, the bitterns. Things evolve I suppose.

“I spotted one of the storks and I got sneaky and went through the foliage to take some pictures.”

The Mail attempted to contact South Lakes Safari but did not receive a reply by the time we went to press.