Police officers got the silent treatment from a caller who had dialled 999.

So they traced the number and rushed to an address in Sale Moor, south Manchester, where they peered through a window - only to see Sky the white cockatiel pressing buttons on a phone.

Outside was a distressed Michelle Gibbs, who had got locked out when she was looking after the house while the owner was away.

Officers believe the bird had managed to lift the phone and dial the emergency number.

Ms Gibbs said yesterday: "I'm always struggling with the locks here, so maybe she was just trying to help."