A JAILBIRD which was taken away from an inmate at Haverigg prison was provided with a new home 10 years ago.

The Mail, on December 4, noted: "Jess the jackdaw had been kept by the prisoner since she was a chick but she was spotted during a routine cell inspection and taken away.

"A concerned guard handed the pet to an animal lover in Millom who then passed her on to Barrow's own Dr Doolittle Pat Denny."

Pat, who ran a bird sanctuary in Hawcoat, volunteered to look after the bird until the prisoner was released.

She said: "The bird was kept in a cage that I assume the prisoner built in the workshop."

Haverigg governor Clive Chatterton said: "Prisoners are now allowed pets for health and safety reasons and especially because this was a wild bird."