Spikey's overtures cause ruction

Cockatiels are noted for their singing voices

Feathers flew after kind-hearted Elaine Redhead took in a lost cockatiel.

Spikey has given her the bird by waking her every morning at 0400 BST with a whistled rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Now, two sleepless weeks after taking him in, Mrs Redhead is desperately trying to find his real owner.

The bird lover, from Great Lumley in County Durham, has been looking after lost birds for the past two years.

So an inspector from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) asked her to take care of Spikey.

His rendition of Tchaikovsky's piece is pretty impressive too - I recognised it straight away Elaine Redhead

But she was not prepared for the bird's early morning passion for classical music.

Mrs Redhead, 52, said: "Every morning on the dot of four, Spikey stands to attention and starts whistling the 1812 Overture.

"The first time it happened I really couldn't believe my ears, but now I'm getting quite used to it.

"Obviously someone has taken a lot of time to train this bird, so I'm sure they must be missing him.

"His rendition of Tchaikovsky's piece is pretty impressive too. I recognised it straight away."

Despite the vocal skills of the latest addition to the family, she is desperate to return Spikey to his rightful owner - and get a good night's sleep.