Hunting on horseback with a bird of prey in hand may conjure up images of the Asian steppes rather than moorland Devon.

But the Bovey Castle hotel on Dartmoor is soon to offer guests the thrilling experience of chasing down quarry and has now unveiled the star of the show.

Artemis, a cross between a golden and steppe eagle, has been recruited by the hotel, the first in the country to own a bird of prey for guest use.

Martin Whitley, who runs Dartmoor School of Falconry and gives daily displays at the hotel, trained the female bird.

He said: "Artemis is an absolutely incredible eagle and very different to the other birds of prey I work with.

"Watching her soar above the wilds of Dartmoor and hunt for prey across the hotel grounds, will be an unforgettable experience."

Artemis's first official flight at the hotel drew a large crowd in February as she performed a brief tour of the grounds before returning to her perch.

She will appear for photo opportunities and flights over the lawns with hunting on Dartmoor to begin next winter.

To satisfy the growing popularity of falconry, the hotel is planning to add a rare ashy face barn owl to the winged ranks.

Young guests will also be offered the chance to learn about birds of prey with a newly-formed Bovey Rangers falconry club planned for April.