Margaret Young was watching for visitors from her tenth-floor balcony when she received an unusual uninvited guest - an exotic red bird.

The bird flew into her open window and perched on her husband David's shoulder.

Mrs Young said: "It flew straight to my husband and tried to go down his T-shirt."

The bird made itself at home in the couple's Grand Avenue flat in Hove, while they tried to trace its owner.

What they did not realise was that their unexpected visitor was an extremely rare nectar-eating bird from the Solomon Islands.

The 16-month-old bird was reunited with its owner Tony Eke, of Walsingham Road, Hove, after he contacted the RSPCA.

Mr Eke was delighted when he heard his pet, which he bought two weeks ago and had escaped from his garden, was safe.

Mr Eke said: "I'm amazed it flew to the tenth floor. It's only ever flown about ten metres before. Perhaps it was wind assisted."