A raven is keeping his owners on their toes after learning to speak.

Zeus perfectly mimics his owner Richard Cooper.

He joined the family at their countryside home near Appleby, Cumbria as three-week-old chick.

Mr Cooper, 28, a bird of prey exhibitor who hand-reared Zeus, said: "He's been the thorn in my side.

"He first started to try to talk when he was six months old.

"My poor dogs don't know whether they are coming or going because he mimics my voice perfectly.

"You can't teach ravens to speak, they actually learn it themselves if they want to."

Zeus will showcase his chatty antics at the Hawkshead Agricultural Show, which starts on Tuesday.

"He's one of the most popular birds we have because he's so different," said Mr Cooper.

"Zeus isn't a bird of prey, but he's a real crowd-puller. Most of the questions we receive at shows are about him."