KENNFORD schoolboy Thomas Smith is following in his grandad’s footsteps with his hobby of keeping and exhibiting zebra finches.

Thomas, nine, has only had his own birds for about a year.

As a South Western and Southern Counties Zebra Finch Club junior member, this year is Thomas’s first show season and he has done exceedingly well.

With his normal coloured birds, Thomas won quite a few awards including Best Junior Zebra Finches at his home club, the South Western and Southern Counties Zebra Finch Club, and Best Junior 2015 Bred Zebra Finches at the Zebra Finch Society club show in Preston, Lancashire.

He had other similar awards at shows in Wales and Torbay.

Thomas’s interests include trains, swimming, history, reading books, riding his bike, walking his family dog and helping others with practical work.