Homing pigeon found far from home

A homing pigeon which flew off course during a race between France and Britain was found 3,000 miles away near Niagara Falls. The bird disappeared in May while flying 200 miles from France to owner Frank Brammer's house in Gloucester.

Mr Brammer, 81, said he thought the pigeon had been killed after it failed to return home. But a few weeks later he received a phone call from a woman in Canada who had found his number on the plastic ring on the pigeon's leg.

The bird has found a new home in Ontario, with pigeon fancier Mr Breton. Mr Brammer said: "The bird seems to have settled down well so it would be a shame to uproot him. I have told Mr Breton he can keep him."