DIY staff have turned carers at a Shropshire store after a blackbird set up nest in its garden area.

She found a safe spot in the middle of B&Q in Telford and laid roost on her eggs – which have now hatched three youngsters.

Workers at the store have been keeping watch on the area, in the outdoor plant section, to keep the baby birds safe from predators and customers.

But the bird, nicknamed “Blackie” by regular shoppers, has proved able to defend itself by lashing out at anyone who puts their hands too near.

Billy Scott, who works in customer services at the Bridge Retail Park store, said: “It has been amazing watching the mother. She works tirelessly, going out to get food.”

He said when someone did try to stroke her they got a nasty surprise as the mother went for their hand.

“She comes back with beak-fuls of worms and has to go in under the unit so she isn’t spotted,” he said.

“This is the third year she has come to exactly the same spot. This year she first set up on another high trellis, but magpies took her first eggs, so she moved again.”

After being targeted again by magpies on a neighbouring unit, she returned to her original nesting spot about a month ago.

Mr Scott said: “The eggs hatched about two weeks ago and she is being very protective. They have their feathers now so we think they will be flying away within a week or so.

“We had to put hazard tape around the main outdoor sales area three weeks ago and it’s still there.”

Mr Scott said he was sure the bird would return again and said customers were happy to see her.

“Lots of them say, ‘how are the birds?’,” he said.

“It’s amazing to see her go back to exactly the same spot every year.”

By Dave West