Staff members at an animal charity shop were shocked when a box containing a bird was left outside the building.

A yellow canary, lovingly named 'Buttercup' by staff, was left outside in a cardboard box at an  RSPCA shop in Prudhoe shop earlier in the month.

The staff were only made aware of what was inside of the box when they opened it - believing it to be some donations.

"It was a Monday morning and someone came into our Prudoe store and said 'you have left some donations outside," trustee of the branch Jan Ormiston said.

"Our manager had gone outside and opened the box and saw that inside was a yellow canary.

"It was an unusual donation and the first canary we have had but not the first bird.

"So we are now looking for a home for Buttercup - someone with experience with canaries."