A CUNNING turkey called Cranberry has saved himself from ending up on the Christmas dinner table by staying on the farm roof.

Rather than hanging out with the other 250 turkeys at Beechenwood Farm in Culverstone, clever Cranberry prefers to keep out of the way.

Farmer Brian Hill joked that because he has been "up to his feathers" in work, he has been unable to reach the naughty Norfolk Black so he will be saved from slaughter.

He said: "Cranberry isn't stupid like the other turkeys. He has stayed on the farm roof since the summer because he wants a bird's eye view of us working and the other farm animals.

"It's really unusual because most turkeys are dozy and stick together, even when a fox comes along, but Cranberry is far too clever for that.

"He knows Christmas is coming and he's going to be saved from the dinner table by staying on the roof."

Mr Hill says because Cranberry is such a "character", they will keep him for a few years.

He joked: "I think he will have fun on the farm next year because there will be only one male turkey and 16 hens!"

The 800 chickens and turkeys at the farm in Valley Lane are free-range. Mr Hill explained his family farm is "old fashioned" because he likes to pluck the feathers by hand.

He said: "We like to be traditional here and look after the animals. They have a good life because they can roam around and are not cooped up in a barn."

"Although we rear pigs as well, Christmas is obviously our busiest time of year and we have been working until 1am every morning."

He added: "It will be good to get a rest in the New Year."

December 28, 2001 17:30