BRAVEHEART Amber Thorpe is shouting 'freedom' from the rooftops.

The six-year old is a member of a Hindley family who have dedicated part of their lives to rehoming ex-battery hens and guiding others onto a healthier, greener lifestyle path.

A pupil at St Benedict's primary school, Hindley she dug deep into her money box to buy herself a couple of chickens which had reached the end of their battery cage lifespan and were due for slaughter.

Now she's named them Amber and Alison after herself and her mum!

The Thorpes, mum and dad Alison and Dane, Amber, 20 year-old Adam and 16 year-old Shannon, have been busy rehoming 650 battery hens over the past 12 months to 'Good Life' disciples who give the birds a new, free range, lease of life.

"We've another 200 plus to rehome which are just awaiting collection," said Alison, who was made-up when Amber insisted on buying her own chickens and proud to have one of them named after her.

"I think the poultry farme was moved too when Amber insisted on paying for them out of her pocket money."

The Thorpes ask for a donation - about the price of a couple of dozen free range eggs - to cover the cost of buying the birds and feeding them until they are rehomed.

"Food leftovers go to the chickens and are converted into eggs and even their pooh can be scraped up and used for compost to grow vegetables. Unless you want fertile eggs you don't need a cockerel so they don't make much noise," said Alison.

You can expect around 300 eggs a year off each bird.

More details from the Thorpes on 07888 730763.

Caption : Chicken champion Amber Thorpe.