A young seagull who fell out of his nest has the play area all to himself at a Sussex nursery.

The bird - who youngsters have christened Dumbo - has been strutting around the garden of Childsplay Nursery in Phyllis Avenue, Peacehaven, since falling from his nest on the neighbours' roof.

He can't escape from the secured garden because he is too young to fly.

At first, children at the nursery were delighted - but they were less keen when they discovered that whenever they ventured into the garden, Dumbo's mum swooped on them.

The youngsters have now been confined to their indoor play area while their would-be playmate enjoys the outdoor facilities on his own.

Nursery owner Sandra Child said: "The children keep banging on the window and the bird just loves it. It is coming right up to the patio. The children are totally amused.

"We have always had gulls next door but this is the first time we have had a seagull stuck in our garden."

Ms Child said she had phoned the RSPCA to get Dumbo returned to his home but they said there was nothing they could do.

Ms Child said she thought the mother seagull was trying to encourage Dumbo to fly and they hoped he would leave the garden within a few days.