A MAN has been charged with attempting to take protected birds of prey in a cage trap on land on the outskirts of Wrexham.

North Wales Police has said a 47-year-old man from the Wrexham area was postal charged with using a trap for the purpose of killing or taking a wild bird and possessing an article capable of being used to kill or take a wild bird.

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Police said Goshawks were the birds involved - which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

He is due to appear before Wrexham Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 28.

A police spokesperson said: "North Wales Police rural crime team will pursue anyone targeting wildlife and continue to work with our partners the RSPB and National Wildlife Crime Unit."