A PEAHEN looking for a new home has made the unusual choice of a petrol garage forecourt in Darlington.

The peahen, named Priscilla by staff at the BP garage in North Road, has become a permanent feature of the forecourt since she was found roosting in scaffolding a month ago.

Garage manager Sue Jenkins is surprised that Priscilla has stayed for so long.

She said: "She's become a real character around the place, but we all assumed she would leave as fast as she arrived.

"We put food out for her on the grass away from the cars, but we're a bit concerned because she doesn't belong to us and she would probably be happier living with other peacocks."

Despite the obvious dangers of life on a forecourt, Priscilla has settled in nicely and can often be found drying her feathers under the air streams in the car wash.

But Priscilla spends a lot of time looking at her reflection in the car wash windows, which suggests she is lonely.

If Priscilla does not move on soon of her own accord, staff plan to take her to a popular nesting spot in Hamsterley Forest to be with other peahens.

Sue Jenkins said: "She seems quite happy, and she's lovely to have around, but a garage isn't the safest place for a peahen and she really needs to be with other birds."