Retail workers can have their fair share of tough customers over the festive period - but staff at Next in Newcastle had to chase one tricky intruder around the store for two days before she gave herself up.
In fact it took two inspectors from the RSPCA to catch the small bird which got stuck inside the Eldon Square shop on Sunday (November 13) - even goading staff by sitting atop a Christmas tree for a while.
The bird, believed to be a type of finch, flew in through a window and got stuck between the store’s glass front and internal walls, flying up across several floors making it a huge task to catch.
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But RSPCA inspectors Rachael Hurst and Lucy Green came to the rescue with the help of some coats in the men’s section.
“I didn’t stand a chance of getting the bird on my own and the store staff had had no success either,” said Rachael.
“She was too high up and even our reach and rescue poles couldn’t reach her properly. But we were determined to catch her and we managed to move her along with the poles after she’d flown back in from her perch. Finally we caught her behind some men's coats on the top floor, but we had to move pretty swiftly.
“No doubt the bright decorations in the Christmas displays attracted her and at one stage she’d landed on top of a tree and seemed very happy to stay there too.”
The female bird was unharmed and released into an area of trees nearby - with the rescue highlighting the RSPCA's winter campaign, which aims to raise funds so it can continue helping animals in need, Rachael said.
The RSPCA has warned that avian flu is still a problem among birds and people should avoid picking them up if they find them stuck. Instead, people should contact the RSPCA helpline.
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