A man has handed himself in to police after a laser disturbed a pair of peregrines nesting at the top of a church in north Norfolk.

Images showed a bright green light being shone directly at the birds at the side of St Peter and St Paul's church in Cromer on May 25.

The incident startled the mother enough for her to abandon her chick for several hours.

Eastern Daily Press: The laser was shone straight into the box disturbing the femaleThe laser was shone straight into the box disturbing the female (Image: Cromer Peregrine Project)

Police have confirmed that the suspect handed himself in at Cromer Police Station on Saturday.

The man aged in his 40s and from the Cromer area apologised and said it was a "genuine mistake".

It was agreed the laser would be destroyed and the man would make a donation to the Cromer Peregrine Project.

Eastern Daily Press: The bright light of the laser led the peregrine to leave her nest for an extended period of time, abandoning her chick The bright light of the laser led the peregrine to leave her nest for an extended period of time, abandoning her chick (Image: Cromer Peregrine Project)

He will also have further discussions with the police about the safe use of lasers.

Chris Skipper, head of social media and the video live stream at the Cromer Peregrine Project, said: "It's good that he's handed himself in, I would like to think it wasn't done intentionally.

"He's seen the media coverage of it, it went all around the world, and he's done the right thing."