WELLS Court in Salcombe is closing – but they're going out with a bang with owls and donkeys coming to visit the residents.

Russ Burt, who runs Plympton Owls, took 10 owls to visit the residents of the residential home on Monday, including a tawny owl, three barn owls, a white-faced scop owl, a little owl, a frogmouth owl, a snowy owl and an enormous eagle owl.

The owls were taken to see the residents as they sat in the front room, with a couple of members of staff taking an owl to see people in their rooms.

Apart from a few toilet related incidents, the owls were impeccably well behaved and the residents loved seeing them, with many stroking and petting the birds.

The eagle owl decided his perch was too boring and took to a walking frame instead, much to the delight of the frame's owner Muriel: 'He can sit there as much as he likes', she said, 'he's beautiful'.

The residents also got the opportunity to see one of the barn owls fly, as Russ tempted him with meat to fly noiselessly across the room for everyone to see.

The animal adventures didn't end there, as on Tuesday, the residents had a visit from Alan the Donkey, thanks to the Donkey Sanctuary.

Andy Hammett, senior health care assistant, said: The whole thing was a blast. Everyone thanked me afterwards and there was fun had by all at Wells.' Wells Court will officially close on June 30.

Abbi Jenkins, health care assistant, said: 'We are so pleased that we were able to make the last few days at Wells Court so enjoyable. We a had a blast and have made some fantastic memories, ones that we will treasure forever.'