A RARE bird of prey is living the high life – thanks to an award-winning chippy.

Scotts of Helmsley is now flying as well as frying every night after a Steller’s sea eagle called Inowashi became its best customer.

The restaurant has come to the rescue of the International Centre for Birds of Prey in nearby Duncombe Park which was searching for a regular supply of fresh fish to feed Inowashi, one of its star attractions.

The bird, which now tucks into fish-without-the-chips seven days a week, is five-years-old, weighs 14lbs and has an impressive 8ft wingspan.

She was one of the first Steller’s sea eagles to be bred in captivity in the UK, and is part of an important world-wide breeding programme to swell the birds’ numbers.

She has been at the centre – owned and run by Charlie Heap – since it opened last year, and takes part in the thrice-daily flying displays.

Scotts owner Tony Webster said: “We are delighted to help Charlie by supplying the centre with fish we can’t use. Inowashi has now become our most regular customer. You can tell she loves the fish because she never leaves any scraps.”

Mr Heap said: “Being based in Duncombe Park, we are just around the corner from Scotts so I thought I would be cheeky and ask if they might consider donating fish to us on a regular basis.”

He added: “With an estimated 5,000 pairs in the world, Steller’s sea eagles are very rare, therefore we have to look after Inowashi very carefully indeed.”