Three chicks for rescued cockerel

Basil was adopted by Northumberland farmer Claire Thorburn

A cockerel which was rescued by a farmer after being evicted from a Tyneside council estate has become a father to three chicks.

Basil was adopted by residents of Henderson Avenue, Gateshead, but housing officials issued a notice to quit following complaints about him.

Claire Thorburn, 32, took him in at her farm in Bamburgh, Northumberland, with her 30 hens.

He settled down with one called Bonnet and now they are proud parents.

The campaign to save the popular, but noisy, cockerel from eviction sparked national interest, with hundreds of people joining a "Save Basil" group on the social-networking website Facebook.

Campaigners even wrote to Buckingham Palace calling on the Queen to back their effort.

Basil quickly settled into his new home in Bamburgh

Ms Thorburn said: "I am absolutely delighted to announce Basil and Bonnet have become proud parents to two female chicks and one male.

"They are a few days old and absolutely beautiful. It is a happy ending and proves how settled he is in his new home."

She said the chicks are to be named Joyce, after Basil's original keeper, and Kate and Bill after BBC Breakfast presenters Kate Silverton and Bill Turnbull.

Original owner Joyce Callaghan is overjoyed at the news.

She said: "I can't wait to visit Basil's babies and it proves he is happy even though we miss him dreadfully here in Whickham.

"All of our efforts to save him have clearly paid off."