A FAMILY from Bromley Cross family could hardly believe their eyes when an uninvited guest arrived for breakfast.

For the guest in question was a large, speckled black and white bird which started feeding in their back garden.

The bird was so tame it accepted bread out of their hands.

The family contacted a neighbour, Kath Kay, who is the Bolton RSPCA branch administrator, and she revealed the bird was a rare domestic silver pheasant.

Mrs Kay said the bird was friendly, but did not want to be caught.

She eventually managed to net the pheasant and initially kept it in a large box before it was taken to a foster home where it was still thriving today.

But mystery surrounds exactly where the bird came from. One theory is that the friendly pheasant is part of someone's private collection.

Mrs Kay said: "It's a beautiful bird. I've never seen one before.

"Someone is obviously missing it and the bird itself obviously would like to go home."

Anyone with information is asked contact Mrs Kay on 01204 521160.