New school cockatiel after theft

Dwynwen is named after the saint's day on which Coco was stolen

Children at a primary school in north Wales have welcomed a new pet cockatiel, donated after their previous bird was stolen in a break-in.

Coco the cockatiel was taken along with his cage during a burglary at Ysgol Llandrillo, near Corwen, last month.

An appeal went out for Coco's return, but a new cockatiel, named Dwynwen, has also been donated to the pupils.

Dwynwen, named after the saint's day on which Coco was stolen, is said to be quieter than her predecessor.

'Same love'

Coco, described as a "part of school life", would sit alongside pupils in class and join in singing rehearsals for the children's eisteddfod, according to head teacher Gwenda Owen.

Ms Owen said pupils were left "very upset" after Coco was stolen on the night of 25-26 January.

Dwynwen joins in with pupils' activities

Also taken were two desktop computers, a laptop, a musical keyboard, two digital cameras and £25 in cash.

Ms Owen said: "We've lost material things like computers, the keyboard and the cameras, but we can have those back.

"We've had the bird in, Dwynwen, but we haven't had Coco and we are hoping that Coco will have the same love wherever he is now as he had with us in the school."

'Nice and quiet'

While pupils and teachers have said they hope Coco will still be returned safely, a new cockatiel called Dwynwen - named in honour of the saint's day on which Coco was snatched - has been donated to the school.

According to the pupils of Ysgol Llandrillo, Dwynwen is less disruptive that her predecessor, who pupils described as "very noisy".

Pupil Amy Hawking said: "She likes us to stroke her - Coco didn't like that.

"Coco was very noisy, but Dwynwen's nice and quiet."

Another pupil, Amanda Helsby, added: "When we were signing, Coco used to join in. Dwynwen's voice is a bit higher."