WHILE the future looks grim for most turkeys at this time of year, one talented bird is going to extraordinary lengths to ensure he does not end up on the Christmas dinner table.

Trevor, an 18-month-old Bourbon Red, has started performing death-defying stunts in order to escape the festive slaughter.

And his party piece - hopping through a ring of fire - has proved so popular that organisers of agricultural shows across North Yorkshire have requested that Trevor makes a guest appearance.

His owner, Colin Newlove, who farms at Low Marishes, near Malton, is not sure how Trevor would cope with large numbers of people so has declined the offers.

But he said that Trevor the turkey has definitely been saved. He said: "He has a brighter future than others of his kind at this time of year - he will not finish up on a Christmas dinner table, that's for sure."

Mr Newlove has trained animals all his life and has ridden Ayrshire bulls at local shows and once discovered a horse which would fetch sticks.

Mr Newlove has been training Trevor for the past two months and said his pet enjoys taking part in the impressive routine.

He said: "He absolutely loves it - he took to it brilliantly.

"He's wanted at shows but quite honestly he doesn't know enough at this stage and I'm not sure how he'd react with a lot of people around."

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, December 20, 2001