THE new Christmas show at the National Botanic Garden of Wales has a very special star – Tinsel the Tawny Owl.

This year’s festive offering from the Botanic Garden has been put together in partnership with Pembrokeshire Falconry and some of their birds play a starring role.

Not least Tinsel who is top of the bill in this brand new production Tinsel the Tawny Owl’s First Christmas, which is being performed in the Garden’s Theatr Botanica on Saturday and Sunday December 12 and 13 and Saturday and Sunday December 19 and 20.

Emma Hill, who runs Pembrokeshire Falconry, said: “We are very excited about this show – and so is Tinsel! We don’t want to give away the plot but, suffice to say the story is: Tinsel is terrified if he doesn’t go to sleep on Christmas Eve night, Santa will not visit and bring him any presents.”

Emma added: “To find out how the other owls fall asleep on Christmas Eve night, he asks his friends and family. They tell him about all the things he can do that will keep him busy all day long and he will be so tired that he will sleep all night and not wake up until Christmas morning.”

Garden events organiser David Hardy said: “There will be owls flying, carol singing and, we hope, a happy ending! We are extremely grateful to Emma and the Pembrokeshire Falconry team for putting on this show which is a real festive first for the Garden – ‘The First No-owl’, if you will.”

You can make sure of your place at the Botanic Garden Santa Show by buying tickets on 01558 667149. There are four shows a day starting at 11am but places are limited so it is advisable to book in advance.

Santa has a present for every child and tickets to the show are £3.

For more information about this or other Garden events, call 01558 667149, email info@gardenofwales.org.uk or visit www.gardenofwales.org.uk