AN ARDROSSAN window cleaner has been hailed a "local hero" after he bravely rescued a bird in distress.

Willie Kelly was given the affectionate tag after he came to the aid of a "trapped" seagull chick on Glasgow Street.

The distressed bird had first been spotted by the Marritt family who live on the street.

The couple had a clear view of where the gull was stranded, in guttering in the roof above Lothian's Butchers.

The pair first noticed the bird on Sunday, July 14, though calls to various services and charities had seen no success in finding a way to free the gull.

That was until they got hold of well-known local window cleaner Willie, who was able to come to the bird's aid on Tuesday, July 16.

He managed to reach the trapped gull and brought it back down to safety.

It was then held at the nearby Cheery Cup cafe before being taken away to begin its recovery.

Speaking to the Herald, the Marritt's said: "We barely slept for worrying about the bird, it had been trapped since Sunday - and we could see it right across from our window.

"We phoned everyone but no one was able to help, until our local hero Willie Kelly came to the rescue."