A big upsurge in the number of birds being handed over to Isle of Wight Parrot Rescue has led to a plea for help.

The group wants donations of cuddly toys and hand-knitted items for its stall at Jollyes anniversary weekend on October 2 and 3.

There are currently around 100 birds, from huge green-wing macaws to little budgies and diamond doves.

Nicki Williams, from the group, appealed through the County Press for help, saying the number of birds had increased since the start of the pandemic.

She said "A lot of birds have been sold to people as hand-reared but turn out not to be, causing a lot of problems, and they end up with us.

"One of our jobs is to teach people how to handle and watch birds and what to look out for to see if they are genuinely hand-reared."

As well as cuddly toys and knitted items, Nicki said they were looking for toys for the birds (for which she had set up an Amazon wishlist) and nuts in shells for them including walnuts and hazelnuts, but not peanuts.

"The stall at Jollyes in Newport will help us pay for new aviaries and a parrot room," she said.

Go to the Isle of Wight Parrot Rescue Facebook group for more details of how to donate.