ALCOMBE couple Graham and Gwen Thresher are the toast of the bird world after a record-breaking performance at one of the most prestigious homing pigeon shows in the world.

Their seven-year-old racing pigeon Ponderosa was named supreme champion at last weekend's British Homing World Show of the Year in Blackpool.

It was the first time a racing pigeon had won the top accolade in the show's history, while Ponderosa also tucked trophies for best in show, best racing pigeon and best 200 miles or over under his wing.

A delighted Mr Thresher said he could not stop spoiling his top bird: "I just can't stop chucking corn at him. You can't get any better than this.

"People come from all over the world for this show and you're talking people with huge lofts and I've only got a small garden loft.

"It's not something we will ever be able to do again," Mr Thresher said.

But Mr and Mrs Thresher are no strangers to success with their birds, though, after three of their flock were chosen to represent Great Britain in the Pigeon Olympics in Ostend a few years ago.

The couple have been stalwart members of the local pigeon scene for more than 50 years and Ponderosa now looks set to retire from racing and live out his remaining years in relative pigeon luxury.

"I've had him all his life so I would never sell him," Mr Thresher said.

Photo: Steve Guscott