BILL Smith is feeling chirpy after being elected president of a local budgerigar society.

Mr Smith (71) of Kilner Close, Unsworth, has more than 70 birds in the aviary in his back garden and has taken over the presidential role at Rochdale and District Budgerigar Society.

He said being appointed was a real honour.

Patsy Mayers, a member of the club since the early 1990s, said: "Budgies are Bill's life. He would be lost without his birds."

While other societies, including the one that used to be in Bury, have been forced to close due to lack of interest, Rochdale boasts a healthy membership of more than 30.

The society was established in 1937 and Annie Jagger, the wife of one the founders, is still a member at the age of 87.

Club members compete in shows in which their birds are judged on size and the state of their feathers.

Contact Les Richardson on 652 3263.