Rare bird breeder plans sanctuary

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Grenville Allen's collection of rare birds

A bird enthusiast who has successfully managed to breed several species of rare birds is hoping to open up his own bird sanctuary in his back garden.

Grenville Allen from St Austell in Cornwall began keeping budgies in his bedroom as a child and now has more than 50 species of birds.

When he was made redundant recently he began making plans to open up his collection to visitors.

He hopes the sanctuary would be used by schools, community groups and tourists.

We feel a real sense of achievement when the eggs turn into chicks Grenville Allen

Mr Allen said: "A lot of these birds are losing their natural habitat and if we don't do something, in years to come my son and future generations won't ever see these birds, either in the wild or in zoos."

He currently has more than 160 birds, which he keeps in aviaries in his back garden.

He has recently managed to breed Bali starlings, of which there are only about a hundred left in the wild.

He said: "We feel a real sense of achievement when the eggs turn into chicks, and the fledglings grow to perch alongside their parents.

"It's just full of excitement day by day."

Mr Allen and his wife Anita, say it would be "like a dream" if they succeeded in opening a bird sanctuary to members of the public.