Feather figure

Bruce takes in injured bird at tyre centre and nurses it back to health

- AIDAN MACDONALD

AN ANIMAL-LOVING car mechanic has become best pals with a gull after nursing the injured fowl back to health.

Bruce Garden, 54, saved the seabird when he found her with a badly damaged wing on the industrial estate where he mends vehicles.

The feathered friend, who he named Hopeful, has since taken up residence in his garage - and now has a varied diet of mussels, Babybel cheeses and mints.

And she has become a hit with customers, who love seeing her strut around the workshop while they get their cars fixed.

Bruce said: "She came in and has been part of the furniture ever since. She definitely has a personality. When I'm sitting in the chair in the workshop area, she'll come over and sit on the jack close to me or peck my feet.