Ananova:

A tawny owl called Treacle has developed a taste for riding a bicycle.

He hops on the handlebars whenever wildlife centre worker Jenny Smith goes for a spin.

Treacle was a chick when he was brought to the Gentleshaw Birds of Prey and Wildlife Centre in Eccleshall, Staffs, six years ago.

Jenny, 26, who hand-reared him, added: "When he was little he perched on a grandfather clock but he's graduated from that."

The two have become almost inseparable and Treacle would get into such a flap when she left that she let him hitch a lift on her mountain bike.

She added: "He always enjoys being on the bike and stays still. People were surprised when they first saw him there but he is a real natural at riding now.

"It suits us both as I get to keep fit by cycling all the time and Treacle gets a bit of fresh air."