MERLIN the alcoholic parrot is being forced to go tee-total by his owners for the sake of their newborn baby

Mark Battocchio, 35, and Denise Boden, 38, from Shaw, are concerned that the boozing bird will be a bad influence on their four-month-old son Callum.

Mark said: "We are trying to stop Merlin hitting the bottle to save Callum from his alcoholic influence."

Merlin, a tearaway four-year-old African grey, has been partial to the tipple since birth. His first words were: "Want some wine?"

"We used to ask Merlin if he fancied joining us for a drink. But we are being far stricter with Callum," Mark added.

Merlin swigs anything from wine to spirits and has even learned how to drink beer from the can.

Besides supping swift pints, Merlin whiles away the day with pub banter.

Mark said: "No glass left unattended is safe when Merlin's about.

"I have tried changing beers, but he likes them all and talks non-stop."

Fortunately, his thirst for alcohol is not shared by Callum, who far prefers bottles of milk.

Denise said: "Callum is an absolute angel compared to Merlin.

"He happily sleeps and suckles on his bottle, making no trouble at all."

Showing no signs of being weaned onto the white stuff, Merlin wreaks havoc in the house.

His other bad habits include chewing the curtains, wolf whistling at neighbours and eavesdropping telephone calls.

"He is very boisterous and listens in to all our conversations.

"The little rascal just cannot resist sticking his beak in," Denise added.

Merlin is so rebellious, he has to be kept under padlock and key in his cage, having mastered how to open the door. Ever the outspoken extrovert, he pokes fun at passers by while hanging upside down.

Denise said: "He mimics everything we say and flaps about making such a racket."

Yet there is a healthy side to Merlin's liquid diet because he loves eating oranges and bananas.

And the morning after a heavy drinking session, Merlin likes nothing more than a cup of strong tea.

For all his mischievousness, he is still a beloved member of the family.

"Merlin is more of a handful than Callum. "But he is great fun and always has something amusing to say," Denise said.