Football mascot Robbie the Raven's squawk-abouts bringing cheer to Corby streets

If you see an enormous bird walking down your street during lockdown do not get in a flap or get tweet-ment for your eyes - it's just a socially-distanced flying visit from Robbie the Raven.

Corby Town Football Club's over-sized mascot is usually found at Steel Park cheering on the team in the BetVictor Southern League Division One Central, but after the season was cut short, Robbie was left in the wings at the football ground.

Steel Park regular James Lloyd and his family retrieved Robbie to join in the Thursday night NHS clap.

James Lloyd, who accompanies Robbie, said: "Robbie was left at Steel Park but we felt sorry for him so we took him home and got him to join in the Clap for our Carers. He really cheered-up our neighbours so we took Robbie to visit fans who have been in self-isolation.

"People absolutely love it. Robbie has been giving out signed photos and colouring sheets with the NHS logo for children to colour and put in their windows."

Robbie's Facebook followers can request a morale-boosting evening squawk-about. Nominees' names are put into an app to randomly choose a destination in the town.

Armed with an airhorn to herald his arrival, Robbie is accompanied by Angela Lloyd and 16-year-old son Aaron who is a Corby Town Youth Team player.

The massive mascot found he had ruffled a few feathers when one evening police officers came to visit the giant bird.

Mr Lloyd said: "The police has seen Robbie on Facebook and wanted to make sure we were social distancing

"They think it's brilliant but they wanted to make sure everyone's from the same household.

"There's not been any negatives at all. It's been amazing and there's been such a great reaction."

At the end of Robbie's town tour, Corby Town FC chairman, Stevie Noble has offered to gift a family season ticket to the street with the best response to the mascot's visit.

All neighbours in the winning road will be asked to nominate a worthy winner to receive the prize.

To follow Robbie the Raven's progress click here.

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you