BURGLARS who broke into a couple's home fled in a flap after being frightened off by an eccentric parrot - the second time the bird has scared off intruders in three years.

Matilda, an African grey who likes nothing better than sipping lager and eating spaghetti bolognese, has taken to imitating its owners' voices.

But instead of chirping "Who's a pretty boy then?" the 14-year-old bird gruffly demands of visitors to the home, near Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, "Hello, who are you?"

And when they fail to respond she adopts an altogether sterner tone, demanding, "Hey, you, come over here!".

When the thieves broke in on Saturday night, it was enough to send them packing.

Owner Jacci Burnett, who was out celebrating her 45th birthday, said Matilda would have been imitating the deep voice of her husband Graham, 44, a joiner.

Matilda - whose idiosyncrasies also include singing Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - was on the ground floor when the thieves, who had entered the garage and taken power tools, forced their way into the main part of the house.

Mrs Burnett, a student nurse who has had Matilda from the age of six weeks, said: "When you come in you have got to say hello straight away or she will go mad.

"We think the burglars must have had a hell of the fright when they came in and heard what sounded like a big bloke.

"There was £120 cash lying around on the kitchen table but we think the burglars must have run away before they saw it." She is rewarding Matilda with Sugar Puffs and Kit Kats, which she unwraps herself.

A police spokeswoman said: "Matilda certainly did a great job in frightening the burglars and we commend her actions."