An elderly couple - and their budgerigar - have been taken to hospital by ambulance after a road accident.

Fire crews had to rescue the bird when the couple's car overturned near Chipping Norton. The blue budgie's cage was damaged in the accident, and firefighters used string to hold it together so that the bird could get back on its perch.

Sub officer Kevin Jeffrey, of Chipping Norton fire station, said: "One budgerigar was released and contained in a box while its cage was made safe. The budgerigar was taken off in the ambulance with its owners."

The elderly couple, aged 77 and 72, from Loughborough, Leicestershire, were taken to The Horton Hospital, Banbury, with minor injuries. They have not been named.

The car ended up on its side on a verge on Saturday, beside the A361.