A FAMILY have been forced to protect their pet goose from bloodthirsty callers who want to cook it for Christmas dinner.

The Islam family first sent feathers flying when they recruited Hamzah as a 'guard goose' last year after their home was plagued by thieves and trespassers.

The Islams are unable to have a dog as a family pet because of their Muslim religion but Hamzah has now been joined by a new gander, who is yet to be named, and a chicken.

But as the festive season has gathered pace, unwanted callers have been offering cash in exchange for the chance to feast on traditional Christmas goose meat.

Today the Islams, who live in Bastwell, Blackburn, said it was now their turn to guard the goose who has defended them by honking and hissing at strangers -- from potential thieves by announcing publicly it goose was "not for sale."

And in another twist, Hamzah, whose Muslim name means 'One who is physically and mentally strong and wilful', has now been renamed Reesha -- after laying eggs to reveal 'he' was actually a she!

Yaasmin Islam said: "We couldn't believe it when someone knocked on the door and asked us if we would sell them our goose.

"My husband asked them what they wanted to buy her for and they just came out and admitted they wanted to eat her for Christmas.

"We couldn't believe it. Reesha is a family pet.

"We wouldn't go round knocking on other people's doors asking them if we can buy their dog or cat to cook! When we got Reesha from Clitheroe market her wings had been clipped too short and we had to nurse her back to health. Her injuries looked so serious we thought she would never survive. Now she has, we are not going to give he up.

"Our four children would be devastated as they get on really well with Reesha."

A 'Beware of the Goose' sign on the gate warns people the winged animals are on patrol. And although some neighbours have complained about the noise, the family have always maintained that they are quieter than any Rottweiler -- but almost as fierce. Mrs Islam added: "We couldn't believe it when we found out that Hamzah was a girl. We just went out one morning and saw this great big egg next to the chicken.We knew the chicken couldn't have laid it so could only conclude that Hamzah was actually a girl.

"We renamed her Reesha, which means 'feather' in Muslim, and she now has a gander to keep her company -- and this time we are pretty sure he is a gander.

"Reesha has put on lots of weight and it is probably her plumpness that is attracting the interest of passers-by in search of their Christmas lunch.

"Luckily our new gander is even more fierce than Reesha and protects our house even from us.

"With him on guard I am sure Reesha is safe as anyone who gets near her may get a nasty bite."