A COUPLE today spoke of their sadness after the death of a beloved pet who had become part of the family and a local celebrity.

Jack and Elsie Goodwin took in Jacko the crow when he was six weeks old and the couple were left heartbroken when the little bird passed away aged 25.

Jack, 78 and Elsie, 73 of Glamorgan Road spent 15 years rescuing birds from across the country – but Jacko was always special.

“Jacko came to us at six weeks old with a broken leg, broken wing and his tail pulled out,” Jack said.

Elsie and the couple’s daughter Wendy hand-fed Jacko and nursed him back to health.

Jacko’s tail never grew back and he could never fly properly but he had his own hut in the Goodwins’ back garden and was loved by all who knew him.

“It’s a long while for a crow to live,” Jack said. “He’s outlived five dogs we’ve had. He had a hard life at times because cats and wild crows used to try and go for him.”

Jacko sadly went blind about five months ago and died aged 25 years and three months.

“It’s been like bringing up a child,” Jack said. “He was a rare little character.

“We’ve had a lot of fun with him and we still get people phoning up and asking how Jacko is.”

Jack admitted he “sobbed” when he buried Jacko.

“It broke my heart when he passed away,” he said.

“It cut us all up. We miss him a lot.”

The Goodwins have supported St Elizabeth Hospice for many years and they would like to raise money for the hospice in memory on Jacko.

To donate to the hospice, visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk, call 01473 723600 or send a cheque payable to St Elizabeth Hospice to St Elizabeth Hospice, 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP3 8LX.