Football fan Katie Cox certainly gets a bird's eye view of every match - as her club's team mascot.

Every Saturday morning, Katie makes the journey from her home in Burgess Hill to London to run round a football pitch in a pair of yellow tights, false breasts, and a pair of wings.

The 22-year-old office worker transforms herself into Alice the Eagle, the mascot for Crystal Palace Football Club.

Katie, who answered an advertisement in the club's paper to get the job, has been Alice since last October.

She said: "It's fantastic fun. Last week I got a massive cheer when I ran on to the pitch and the fans were chanting: 'We love Alice.'"

Katie's job includes warming up the fans before the game.

In full costume, including the big eagle head and an extra-large version of the football club's strip, she dances to music on the pitch with her colleague, Pete the Eagle.

When off-duty, Pete is a headteacher called Keith, from Croydon.

Katie said: "My favourite tune to dance to is Atomic Kitten's The Tide Is High.

"I love dancing and we generally just jump round the pitch for about 45 minutes before the match starts and have a great time."

She does not get paid for her efforts but gets to watch her team play for free.

She said: "I also get an access all areas pass. But I haven't tried getting into the changing rooms yet."

Luckily there is no rivalry to cope with at home over Palace's arch enemies Brighton and Hove Albion.

Katie's parents are not football supporters and her boyfriend supports Crystal Palace.

She has also had the chance to wear the costume off pitch, appearing as a special guest at wedding receptions and birthday functions.

She said: "I was once invited to a wedding as a surprise for the groom, who was a Crystal Palace fan.

"At the reception it was announced one of his favourite birds had turned up.

"The bride looked quite angry until I made a very quick entrance dressed as Alice!"