A PARROT who fled from his home has returned -- cheered back to safety by more than 50 neighbours.

Goater the parrot, who is named after Shaun Goater the Manchester City hitman, got a round of applause when he returned to Rimington Close in Blackburn.

John Milburn, Goater's owner, has been in a flap for the past three days after Goater flew out of a window in his home.

Cheeky Goater was recaptured after an appeal from the Lancashire Evening Telegraph with the help of firefighters and surrounding neighbours.

Firefighters were were called out on Thursday night to catch the parrot perched in a tree at the back of Liz Ashworth's house in Rimington Close, although in the end Goater came down of his own accord with a little help from John and his stepladder.

Mr Milburn, a Blackburn with Darwen councillor, of Laxey Road, Blackburn, said: "It has been a nightmare over the past couple of days and I had almost given up hope of ever seeing my pal ever again.

"Liz had seen the article in the Telegraph and immediately got in contact with me to tell me Goater was in a nearby tree. The rescue operation went really well and the fire services kindly came along to assist me in retrieving Goater but in the end he came down by himself. I think it was mainly due to the exhaustion."

Mr Milburn said: "I think he really enjoyed all the attention and the cheers that he got when he was finally caught.

"Liz and I were worried that if he had been there much longer then he could have been gobbled up by magpies that had been circling him for quite some time. It does shows that miracles do happen now and again!"

Goater was quiet and reserved when he first returned home.

Mr Milburn had but up a reward for the safe return of Goater and presented Mrs Ashworth with £50 for helping him find his best friend.

Mr Milburn, added: "We will now be having his wings clipped to ensure that this doesn't happen again."