THE robin has been crowned as the Bird of Britain after nearly a quarter of a million people voted in a nationwide competition.

And Jon Hunt, who works at the Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water, was delighted to hear the news as he has a little robin who regularly visits him and even perches on his finger.

"Great news on hearing the robin won the Bird of Britain vote on Springwatch," said Jon. "The third place was black bird, second the barn owl and the robin took pride of place on the top spot with 34 per cent of the vote."

People across the UK were invited to choose which feathered creature will be the National Bird of Britain, and the results were announced last week on TV show Springwatch. Other countries already have a national bird, with the golden eagle representing American and the Gallic Rooster for France.

When the competition was launched Jon Hunt sent a picture on social media site Twitter of himself with his robin friend, who he has named Robyn, to BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Apparently the very tame bird follows him all around the garden. After posting the photo, he was contacted by BBC TV presenter Jon Kay who asked if he was free for an interview about the competition.

Admin worker Jon added: "It's not everyday you get wild birds sitting on your finger, but I felt privileged that Robyn the Robin is able to do so."