A NEWLY-hatched chick, which was saved from death thanks to a heart-warming experience, is now sitting pretty at a South Lakeland farm, reports Ruth Lythe.

The baby bird was the last to emerge from a clutch of eggs laid by an Araucana hen at the Lawson family's home at Lockbank Farm, Sedbergh.

But to the horror of nine-year-old Edward Lawson, who was looking after the chicks with his grandmother Wendy Morphet, minutes after emerging from the egg on Sunday (May 27), it appeared lifeless.

Wendy's hair drier was broken from warming up weak lambs on the farm, but Edward had the idea that a blast of hot air might revive the baby bird, so the pair rushed down to the town's public conveniences, where Edward held the chick under the hand drier until it revived.

That evening, the chick, which has been named Chirpy, was returned to the rest of the brood where it is now going from strength to strength.</>

For full story see the June 1 Westmorland Gazette.