Buy pet parrot get our house free

Jim wants to be sure Chev gets looked after in a good home

A Lanarkshire pet owner is selling what could be the world's most expensive parrot.

Chev, a multi-coloured Military Macaw, who lives with his owner Jim Gallagher, 54, in Airdrie, is for sale at offers over £179, 000.

However, the lucky buyer will also get to keep Jim's three-bedroom semi-detached home as part of the deal.

He came up with the idea of selling his feathered friend along with his house in order to fund a move abroad.

Jim Gallagher told the BBC Scotland News website: "I think I am offering a pretty good bargain."

The self-employed plumber said he decided to sell-up and move abroad with his 27-year-old daughter Karen after a family tragedy.

His son Mark, 31, died of an asthma attack last Christmas.

Jim said: "I lost my mum in July last year and then my son in December. My son was my best friend, we did everything together.

"This house just reminds me of him. It has so many good memories but it's time to move on."

Saying goodbye to Chev will be almost as hard as saying goodbye to the house Jim Gallagher Parrot owner

Jim and his daughter plan to move to the south of France or Spain and need to sell the house, on Centenary Avenue, Airdrie, in order to finance their travels.

Jim revealed that the idea of giving the property away to whoever buys the parrot came from his son Mark before he died.

Jim said: "We were in Seville for the Uefa Cup final a few years ago and when we tried to buy tickets on the internet people were selling a scarf with a ticket for the game thrown-in for free.

"Mark thought the gimmick could work with Chev. We could sell him and give the house away as part of the deal."

The 54-year-old said he had already had a few enquires about the house.

"One woman phoned to say she would like to buy the parrot but wasn't interest in the house," he said.

Whoever buys Chev will get this three-bedroom house in Airdrie for free

"But she lived in a flat and Chev needs space to fly around."

Colourful Chev, whose tricks include answering the phone, sitting on a ladder and perching on the stools at a specially built in-house bar, is no stranger to the spotlight.

He hit the headlines four years ago when police locked him up in the cells after he escaped and was captured in the grounds of nearby Monklands hospital.

Jim said it would be hard to leave behind his chirpy companion.

"Chev is a real daddy's boy and I want to make sure he is well looked after.

"If someone puts in a good offer on the house, but they don't want the bird, then I'll not say no."

He added: "I do have one or two people on standby to look after him once the house is sold.

"Saying goodbye to Chev will be almost as hard as saying goodbye to the house."