OWNERS of a cockerel which faced eviction by Greenwich Council said a tearful goodbye to him yesterday.

The long-running saga over Terence reached an end when owners Ellis Hart, 17, and 61-year-old neighbour George King reluctantly gave into the council’s demands to give him up or face court action.

Both owners claimed they had originally been advised by council officers that keeping a cockerel was allowed at Mr King’s home in Inigo Jones Road, Charlton.

But the council has since stressed that cockerels are forbidden from built-up areas under tenancy agreements due to noise pollution concerns.

Before he was taken by council officials on November 3, some of his young fans from the surrounding area turned up to give the cockerel treats and say goodbye.

Ellis, who battled for two months to keep his pet, said: “We were upset obviously and George hasn’t stopped crying.

“We’re not happy to hand him over, but they were threatening to take us to court.”

Ellis says that one neighbour had taken to shouting at the animal, yelling “cock-a-f**king-doodledo”, but insists the chicken was generally popular in the area.

He said: “We’d really like to thank everyone who supported Terence.”

The cockerel will now live at the Retreat animal centre in Longfield, Kent, leaving behind hens Cluck and Duckling, along with eight eggs.

Ellis, who stressed that any males that hatch will be given away, said: “We’re going to try and get up there and see him when we can. But it’s so far.

“I’m still angry. I know it sounds pathetic but he can’t even see his kids now, if you know what I mean.”