ONE of the most popular parrots in the county has been returned to her perch after an absence of six weeks due to illness.

Maddie, a blue and yellow macaw, has been greeting customers as they walk into Highfield Garden World in Whitminster for five years.

She moved to the the garden centre in 2011 after her previous owners were forced to give her up when moving house.

Since then she has entertained, ignored and imitated thousands of customers, many of whom have become fond of her and expressed concern when she suddenly disappeared in June.

Tim Armstrong, general manager of Highfield Garden World, said: “Sadly Maddie was struck by an illness which meant we had to keep her behind closed doors for a while. "She’s clearly delighted to be back now – squawking and showing off as usual.

"She’s an incredible character, and displays clear, unashamed favouritism towards staff and customers – chatting happily and loudly to some while completely ignoring others at times.

"She has lots of favourite customers, but her favourite member of staff is undoubtedly Dan Summers, our landscaping manager.

"She may, or may not, also now favour staff member Sophie Maiden as she has painted from scratch a huge, gorgeous portrait of Maddie, all in Ronseal paint, as a back-drop to her new home.

"She’s very much a pampered parrot, and her new home consists of an extended area near the tills complete with a huge, floor-standing, custom-made cage for when she needs to be kept safe at night time."