MALMESBURY odd job man Henry Wheeler can talk to the animals and the birds.

And he is using his skills to tempt invading pigeons from the ceiling of his town's historic abbey.

The retired labourer, who lives in Falklands, helps out around the abbey during the week, and is a member of the congregation and a steward for the Sunday service.

In the past two months he has also been repeatedly called to the rescue to tempt down the pigeons which fly into the building.

He said: "It's happened about 10 or 12 times and each time I make a noise just like a bird and the pigeon comes flying down and out the door."