A FOUR-year-old African grey parrot is leaving pet shop customers reaching for their pocket phones by imitating ringing tones.

Bemused visitors are left fumbling for their mobile phones and trying to answer calls before realising chirpy Blue is to blame.

To cap it all, Blue's fellow African grey, Victor, joins in the act by shouting out greetings to people entering John Sibley's Pet Shop, in the Wallsend area of Tyneside.

To prove that it really is good to talk, Blue and Victor also enjoy a double act with Blue calling out good morning and Victor saying hello to customers.

Mr Sibley said: ''It's amazing. Everybody thinks it's their mobile phone ringing.

''Blue's ringing is ear-piercing, and it really is hilarious to see some of the customers' reactions when he imitates the ringing noises.''

Despite his popularity, Blue, who has been in the shop for three weeks, is still on offer for sale, at £50