NORRIS the talkative budgie may be the picture of health nowadays - but it wasn't always so.

The seven-year-old bird used to suffer from an avian form of gout that almost cost him his life.

But, thanks to some expert help, that's all behind him now. He's become the life and soul of the party at the Ivy Cottage caf on the green at Reeth.

Norris is the pet of caf owners Bob and Sonya Gibson and he first developed foot trouble a few years ago, when they lived at Selby.

The local vet had no idea what was wrong and eventually suggested that Norris should be put down.

But a family friend recommended the International Zoo Veterinary Group, one of whose members soon had Norris on the road to recovery.

And although the budgie still takes tablets and occasionally has to have a special cream applied to his feet, he is now up to all his old tricks - and more.

"He wolf-whistles very loudly, which is quite embarrassing when customers think it's me or Bob," said Sonya.

The small army of fans Norris now has even send him Christmas cards every year.