Toys for the Tower of London's famous ravens has been one of the surprising lockdown requirements to stave off boredom in the absence of visitors.

Raven master Christopher Skaife has revealed how he was forced to come up with ideas to keep the birds at the historical site in the UK's capital entertained.

Now the Tower of London is open again to the public but during the coronavirus restrictions he noticed changes in the ravens' behavior and he was worried about them flying away.

"Without the public being allowed in there were fewer things for them to do, so I gave them enrichment toys that would help them to enjoy their day. I hid food for them so they had to go and find it in and around the tower," said Skaife.

Legend has it that there needs to be six ravens at the Tower of London, because if not the country would fall into ruin.

There are currently seven ravens living there – the required six, plus a "spare" one.