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Gateshead rooster seeks royal approval

Campaigners trying to save a cockerel from being “evicted” from a Tyneside housing estate have called on Buckingham Palace for help.

Basil arrived in a garden in Henderson Road in Gateshead six months ago and was adopted by many of the residents. But complaints about his early morning crowing prompted housing officials to issue the bird with a notice to quit.

Now Basil’s fans have written to Buckingham palace asking the Queen to back their campaign.

Katie Wilkin, whose mother lives in Henderson Road, organised a “Save the Henderson Hen” campaign, and told the BBC that she had contacted the palace by email. She said: “We just hope that we get something so the council will allow us to keep Basil in the garden.”

Gateshead Housing Company said allowing Basil to remain would be a breach of its tenancy agreement.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .