IT WAS only a short flight but here's a homing pigeon which couldn't find her way without a bit of help from Echo staff.

The bird has been reunited with her owner Chris Jewell after flying the nest over a week ago. She was found wandering outside the Echo offices in Test Lane, Redbridge.

Echo receptionists Jo Hutchison, Katie Milmore and Louise Turner intervened. They felt sorry for her and decided to take her in.

Katie, 23, said: Apparently, she's been wandering around outside for a couple of days but she's only been in the doorway from today.

"She came right up to the doors and just wouldn't fly away, so we put her in a box to keep her safe."

Jo gave the Pigeon Racing Association a call and soon the bird's owner Chris, who lives in Warren Crescent, Shirley Warren, was contacted.

Chris, 41, a forklift driver at Barcardi Martini, got straight on his bike after receiving the news: "I think she's been gone for over a week. She's really tired at the moment, but tomorrow she will be a different pigeon, I'm going to have to give her a name - I think Miss Echo would be suitable."