10,000 birds on display in Staffordshire parrot show

And thousands of people clearly had a squawking good time with this year's event at the County Showground, thought to be the best attended in its 27 years.

Four halls including the Bingley, Prestwood, Argyle and Sandylands Centres, as well as some of the surrounding annexes were emblazoned with colour with tropical species from all over the world packing out the venues.

It is estimated their were record numbers through the doors with around 6,100 people going along. The usual vast array of birds from canaries to budgerigars were on sale while it was the ninth year of the national exhibition. The prestigious event used to be held at the NEC until it stopped in 2003 only for the showground to take it on in 2007.

Organiser Les Rance, from the National Parrot Society, said: "It was an excellent day, very-well supported once again.

"There were 10,000 birds there and throughout the day we had 6,100 people attend which I think is the best yet in our 27 years. We had the national exhibition for the ninth time and the other section is where people bring their birds along to sell, almost like a big antiques fair."

And Mr Rance paid tribute to the showground venue, the staff and facilities which helped ensure another successful show. He added: "The county showground is the finest in the country for our sort of events.

"The facilities are excellent, the management is excellent and they are clearly investing in the future. It just seems to improve year on year. The roof on the Bingley Hall has been totally renewed.

"Everything just allows us to develop the show on the Saturday in order to hold it successfully on the Sunday.

"It was very good all round once again. I would just like to thank the management at the showground for accommodating us so well"