Motorist John Lomax almost landed before the beak until his pet parrot proved he was innocent.

John, 55, faced a fine for not having a tax disc until he explained how Jake, a two-year-old African Grey, had eaten it.

He took his pet to the police station where Jake showed them his mischeivous ways.

He obligingly re-arranged the desk sergeant's filing paper to demonstrate how he had landed John in hot water.

After watching Jake's party piece, officers agreed to waive John's £30 fine but warned him to keep a beady eye on his bird in future.

The retired local government officer, from West Boldon, South Tyneside, said: "I run a little plant nursery and take Jake with me everywhere in my van when I make deliveries.

"He had taken the tax disc out of its holder and chewed it to pieces before inserting it behind all my previous discs.

"I woke up in the morning to find a fixed penalty notice slapped on the windscreen."

Puzzled John examined the discs and discovered the half eaten remnants of his disc stuffed in the holder.

He said: "I couldn't pay the fixed penalty when I knew I had not broken the law.

"The only culprit in this was Jake so I decided to hand him in at the police station to face justice. He obliged by showing how he likes to re-arrange pieces of paper.

"I then got a barrage of jokes about it being a feather-brained excuse and that I should be up before the beak.

"I had the chewed remnants of my disc just in case there were any lingering doubts."

A spokeswoman for Washington police said: "The officers enjoyed Jake's show and the ticket was cancelled because he proved his owner's innocence."