Two peregrine falcons are the country's newest members of Parliament.

The London Wildlife Trust said the protected birds of prey are the first to make their nest on the House of Commons building, at the northern end of the Palace of Westminster.

Pairs have previously been spotted at Tate Modern, Battersea Power Station and the Millennium Dome but never at the Houses of Parliament.

Peregrine falcons normally make their nests on cliff ledges but are increasingly turning to more urban sites.

The Trust said the peregrines' arrival in the capital was part of a national resurgence for the bird, which suffered serious declines during the mid-20th century.

Eight years ago it was confirmed that peregrines were breeding in London. There are at least 13 pairs within a 20-mile radius of St Paul's Cathedral, according to London Wildlife Trust volunteer-David Morrison. Mr Morrison, who has been monitoring the peregrine population in London since 2000, said: "Discovering a pair of peregrines are holding territory on Parliament is incredibly exciting.

"Perhaps surprisingly, London actually has the largest population of breeding urban peregrines in the UK."

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