TWO abandoned turkeys left at an animal adoption centre in Kimpton have been spared a dismal Christmas fate by the local Butchers. The two birds – nicknamed Bernadette and Matthews – were left at the Blue Cross centre on Kimpton Bottom in October and, be

TWO abandoned turkeys left at an animal adoption centre in Kimpton have been spared a dismal Christmas fate by the local Butchers.

The two birds - nicknamed Bernadette and Matthews - were left at the Blue Cross centre on Kimpton Bottom in October and, because the Blue Cross does not have facilities to care for such large birds, they were adopted shortly afterwards by animal lovers Heidi and Peter Butcher of Welwyn Garden City.

Blue Cross centre manager at Kimpton Lynda Campbell said that she was delighted to have found the birds a new home and added: "When the turkeys were dumped on our doorstep we had no idea they'd be rescued by two Butchers! I'm glad the Blue Cross could help in this unusual case."

Heidi said that Bernadette and Matthews are now well-established members of the Butcher family: "My husband and I have kept turkeys before so we were more than happy to help the Blue Cross. They were a little nervous at first but have settled in now. They are very entertaining and their favourite game is playing football with a cabbage!