A County Durham parrot with celebrity status in the store where she lives has had a go at predicting the result and winner of Sunday's European Championships final. 

On Sunday evening, Gareth Southgate's England side will take on Spain to find out who will be the champion of the 2024 Euros - with people holding their breath to see if England can win their first major trophy since 1966.

In the build-up to the competition, people have been getting in the spirit by decorating houses, cars, pubs, restaurants and schools with the England flag - while murals and other creative designs have also been seen in Darlington and beyond. 

Blue, the Umbrella Cockatoo, who lives at Julie's Pets and Reptiles store in the Thames Centre in Newton Aycliffe, with owner of the shop, Julie SealBlue, the Umbrella Cockatoo, who lives at Julie's Pets and Reptiles store in the Thames Centre in Newton Aycliffe, with owner of the shop, Julie Seal (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

As Sunday fast approaches, The Northern Echo wanted a unique look at the match and wanted to channel the energy of psychic Octopus Paul, who got global attention in 2010 when he predicted correct results in the World Cup. 

Instead of a psychic octopus, we turned our attention to Blue, the Umbrella Cockatoo, who lives at Julie's Pets and Reptiles store in the Thames Centre in Newton Aycliffe. 

Blue the CockatooBlue the Cockatoo (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Known for saying "hello" to people who pass by the shop, Blue has gained popularity in Newton Aycliffe, with people always coming in to see the parrot, according to the owner of Julie's Pets, Julie Seal. 

England players celebrating after the win against Netherlands on WednesdayEngland players celebrating after the win against Netherlands on Wednesday (Image: PA MEDIA)

Blue, who has been with Julie since she was 15 weeks old, is now 17, and, since she is such a talk of the town - The Northern Echo decided to take a trip to Newton Aycliffe to meet her. 

After initial introductions, we got Blue to predict Sunday's Euro final by putting three red dots (Spain) and three blue dots (England) on a dice and got Blue to select the winner.

Luckily, Blue selected England as the winner and predicted a 4-2 win for the Three Lions after rolling two other dice.


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Following the impressive prediction, Julie, who has owned the shop in Newton Aycliffe for around 20 years, set out the Umbrella Cockatoo's popularity in Newton Aycliffe.

"Everyone knows Blue - they come in and say hello, and some people have become very fond of her.

"We have watched England's games so far, and this is the first time that Blue has predicted a game."

So there we have it, Blue predicts a 4-2 England win on Sunday - hopefully, she's right!