SEA-RESCUE BUDGIE HOME AGAIN

Mr Peel, 64, of Brixham, Devon, lost a number of budgies when he accidentally left the door to his aviary unlocked.

Five days later this budgie was rescued by a scuba diver off the Devon coast and handed over to an animal rescue centre, who named the lucky bird Captain.

Mr Peel said he had resigned himself to the loss of several birds. “It’s amazing,” he said. “I really didn’t expect to see any again.”

He had never received any birds back after an escape before and he “didn’t know anyone who had”.