MARCO the mynah bird had his beloved owner in a flap when he flew up the chimney and wouldn't come down.

Mischief-making Marco has got into all sorts of scrapes since Jacqui Douglas took him under her wing three months ago.

He once swallowed a cigarette butt while playing in an ashtray and nearly choked to death.

But the crowning glory came when he decided to explore the chimney in Jacqui's living room.

Jacqui, who works for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, said: "My boyfriend Phil brought the bird home, but it's never really liked him.

"Phil decided to let Marco out for a bit of male bonding, but he decided to fly up the chimney and sat on a ledge.

"He wouldn't come down so I had to grab his legs - and he pulled down a load of soot. He was coughing like mad.

"Marco loves me, but he ignored us when we got back off holiday. It's like having a little kid."

When not embarking on flights of fancy, Marco likes to show off his talent for mimicking guests at Jacqui's house.

Jacqui, of Great Harwood, added: "He can say hello in about 20 different voices.

"He once said hello to a policeman who was walking past the garden. He must have thought someone was taking the mickey!"

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