Primary school children have been banned from their playground after a spate of attacks by a dive-bombing buzzard.

The bird of prey, nicknamed Brenda by pupils, has been attacking villagers in Havering-atte-Bower, near Romford, Essex, since Easter weekend, according to residents.

Dame Tipping Primary School said “nothing can be done” but to keep pupils inside due to the animal being a protected species.

Resident Nikki Dix, 37, said she was “dead shocked” after the bird left scratch marks on her head while she was walking through a park in March.

“He was giving me an evil eye so then I carried on my journey for quite a while just swinging my bag above my head,” she said.