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The Tower of London and the entire nation has been saved from a prophecy of doom after raven chicks were born at the landmark for the first time since 1989.

Four healthy chicks were born to parents Huginn and Muninn on St George's Day (23 April).

Only one of the chicks, named George or Georgina in honour of the patron saint of England, will be kept at the tower.

Yeoman Warder Chris Skaife, Ravenmaster at the Tower of London, said: "My suspicions were first piqued that we might have a chance of baby chicks when the parents built a huge nest suddenly overnight and then almost immediately the female bird started to sit on it.

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"Then on the 23 April I noticed the birds going to the nest with food, however it has only been this week that I've been able to get up close and see for myself that they have four healthy chicks, as I hadn't wanted to disturb them too much.

"Having worked with the ravens here at the tower for the last 13 years and getting to know each of them, I feel like a proud father!" he added.

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Legend has it that should the six resident ravens ever leave the almost 1,000-year-old tower, home to the crown jewels, the castle and the kingdom will fall.

Fear of the prophecy coming true inspired the Beefeaters to have a go at raising the birds themselves, Mr Skaife said.

He added: "We decided that it would be a really good idea to see if we could actually breed ravens ourselves at the Tower of London to secure our future, after all legend tells us that should the ravens leave the Tower of London it will crumble into dust and a great harm befall the kingdom."

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It is believed that since the reign of King Charles II, which ended in 1685, a small group of the birds have been kept there to prevent this from happening.

The last raven chicks to be born at the historic landmark were in 1989.

Seven other ravens also live at the popular tourist attraction.