Two baby beavers officially named Bobby and Barry by children have been the first born in an aera of Britain for 400 years.

The kits were born in an enclosure at Ewhurst Park, Hampshire for the first time since 1600s.

Footage captured from wildlife cameras has shown the two brothers starting to learn how to gnaw and fell trees.

Their names were chosen by local children as part of a competition run by the 925-acre estate.

Winning school children were presented with a trophy by former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) - author and environmentalist - Stanley Johnson, during a tour of the beaver enclosure.

Stanley said: "As the former MEP for East Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, I am absolutely delighted to be here today for this wonderful beaver naming event. "

"I want to congratulate all those who took part in the beaver naming competition, including of course, the winners, and the beavers themselves."

The names were selected by Year 5 pupils from St Gabriel's, Newbury, and members of the 3rd Alton Beaver Scouts Kestrel Colony.

The school children's visit marked the end of a week of educational activities run by Ewhurst Park for local children where pupils from across the county had the opportunity to visit the park.

Pupils learned about beaver ecology, toured the beaver enclosure, and made bug hotels that will provide vital habitat for insects as part of the park's nature restoration project.

Ewhurst Park continue to publish the latest updates from Bobby, Barry and their parents on their social media channels.

This will include footage from wildlife cameras that has so far shown them moving around their enclosure, eating plant material and starting to learn how to gnaw and fell trees.

Mandy Lieu, Ewhurst Park's Director said: "Education and outreach are essential to our ethos here at Ewhurst Park. We love to welcome children on site and are delighted to be engaging the next generation with the wonderful world of beavers and the importance of connecting with nature."

Debbie Tann MBE, CEO of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: "The arrival of two kits at Ewhurst Park is a remarkable and heartwarming milestone for Hampshire's natural environment. "

"This naming competition offers a wonderful opportunity for the community to connect with these incredible animals and witness firsthand the positive impact they bring to our natural world."

She continued: "As we welcome this new generation, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust will continue to strongly and actively advocate for the managed wild release of beavers, where they play a vital role in stimulating nature's recovery, enhancing biodiversity, restoring habitats, and building resilient ecosystems."

Eva Bishop, Head of Education at Beaver Trust, commented: "The expansion of this family unit shows these beavers are well settled. Kits tend to stay with their family group until around two years old, developing the skills they need for life by learning alongside their parents, so Bobby and Barry have plenty of time to inspire a love of nature among local children. "

"It is so important to the species' return that opportunities like this help address our cultural appreciation of beavers and the natural world."