Batman causes a flap at florist's shop in Cairngorms

A festive arrival at a florist’s in Grantown has created quite a flutter with customers!

The red robin has made his home at The Flower Box on the town’s High Street and has been dubbed Batman by his fans.

Owner Maria Norman said that the robin first made his appearance just over a fortnight ago and has stayed put despite him being free to come and go as he pleases.

The delighted shopkeeper said: "He started coming in between 9am and 9.30am and he’d go between 3pm and 3.30pm and then one day he decided not to go at all.

"I sat there with the door open that evening until 7.45pm but he didn’t budge so I just shut him in.

"He comes and goes through the daytime as the door is open but he rests his head here at nights."

Perhaps the cute little visitor knows he’s onto a good thing, as Maria revealed: "He now has his own little bird bath which we have put in and we treat him to mealworms. He seems quite content."

Some of the customers calling into the florist’s have been taken aback to realise Batman is the real deal.

Maria said: "When they first come in they think he’s a toy. He sits by the door and when customers arrive he starts to sing. They think it’s music being played."

Some have helpfully pointed out that they have a robin in the shop.

"They think he’s brilliant, and there’s one gentleman who not long ago lost his wife and his daughter and she associated her mum with a robin, and he keeps coming back to see Batman."

The robin is now quite happy to eat out of Maria’s hand. "He sits there on top of the radio and sings to me."

Quizzed if Batman prefers any particular tracks, she did reveal that he was getting into the Christmas spirit and festive hits are a current fave.

Shop assistant Fiona Quirie gave Batman his name and he enjoys having his photo taken by visitors.

The only downside is that staff have had to remove mirrors from the premises. "I had to cover them up with brown paper as he was attacking the mirrors, so he does not hurt himself," said Maria.

Batman did nearly come a cropper when he visited The Dairy store nearby and the resident cat, Fudge, took an interest in him but he managed to fly to freedom.

Maria added: "I hope Batman stays as I’ve got used to him being around. He rules the roost in here now!"

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