CORONATION Street's Les Battersby is set to pull a new bird - thanks to an East Lancashire businessman.

But it's not a bit on the side for Les - it's Theresa the turkey who has been plucked from obscurity by Oswaldtwistle pet consultant Kevin Horkin.

Theresa's set to ruffle a few feathers in the Street as she stars in four episodes of the TV soap, making her debut tonight when rowdy Les acquires the live turkey for Christmas dinner.

Meanwhile daughter Toyah turns vegetarian to impress the new Street star, eco-warrior Spider, and together they hatch a plot to rescue Theresa from the Christmas table.

Kevin, who runs an agency supplying trained animals to TV and film companies, auditioned dozens of turkeys before plumping for Theresa in Skipton.

He said: "I was looking for an animal that really likes people and as you will see from the episodes she really is friendly. She adores people and is a bird in a million.

"I can't give away the full script but it is very funny. She escapes and ends up in the Rovers."

Kevin, who also owns the Petcentric store, Accrington, is so impressed with Theresa he plans to keep her as a pet.

He added: "I have just been so struck by her I could never allow her to go on someone's table and she will see out her days in Oswaldtwistle."

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