BENSON Hall in Buntingford was chirping to the sound of 190 birds on Saturday when the Buntingford Caged Bird Society held its annual show. The society is thought to be one of the last of its kind in Herts. A panel of judges awarded the Best Bird in

BENSON Hall in Buntingford was chirping to the sound of 190 birds on Saturday when the Buntingford Caged Bird Society held its annual show.

The society is thought to be one of the last of its kind in Herts.

A panel of judges awarded the Best Bird in Show prize to 13-year old Zoey Simpson for her Faun Java Sparrow.

Society secretary Wally Lodge said: "We are the only society in Hertfordshire who still exhibit every year, so we opened the show up to members of other clubs and societies in the area and had a great turn out."

Zoey, from Cambridge, is following in the footsteps of her dad, who also breeds birds.

Mr Lodge said: "The birds are judged on condition and the way in which they behave in the cage.

"Most of the entrants were budgerigars and canaries.

"It was nice to see a young person picking up the prize. We are always looking to attract the younger generations and usually think it's good if we get a new member who is under-50," he added.