ONE of the most unusual acquisitions for a Carlisle museum has been named - following a public vote.

Staff at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in the city centre launched a vote on their Facebook and Instagram pages to seek the views of their followers on both platforms about their stuffed flamingo.

After 131 votes - the vibrant pink piece of taxidermy, which stands at 101cm tall, has been given the name of Candy Floss the Flamingo, or Flossy for short.

Flossy made her debut at Tullie House on January 26 at a Tullie Explorers Day, where families were asked to contribute their ideas for a name.

After finishing their fabulous flamingo craft, the Explorers filled a whole box full of name ideas.

From these suggestions, two contenders were picked; Flossy or Rosie.

Finding a home at the museum is a happy end to a tragic journey for Flossy.

The single pink flamingo was discovered by George Scott of the Knoxwood Wildlife Rescue Trust in Wigton.

Flossy had been chased around Skinburness by people trying to catch it.

There was torrential rain and it was blowing a gale.

The combination of exhaustion and wet weather had pushed the bird close to death.

George took the flamingo back to the centre to try and resuscitate it using an incubator, but it was sadly in vain and the flamingo passed away.

Soon after, the flamingo was offered to Tullie House.

It’s thought that Flossy originally came from the Isle of Man as the gale was blowing from that direction, and a clipped wing would indicate it was a captive bird rather than a wild one.

Claire Sleightholm, assistant curator at the museum said: “This is a most unusual acquisition for Tullie House, especially as our Natural Science collection holds Designated status due to the significance of our Cumbrian holdings.

"However, Flossy’s local story and undoubted wide appeal meant we couldn’t possibly pass up on this super opportunity.

Staff say Flossy is single and ready to 'flamingle' with visitors.

It is now on display in the lobby at the museum.

Greater flamingo are found in the wild in coastal regions of Africa, Asia and southern Europe.

The greater flamingo is the tallest type of flamingo, which stand 120 to 150cm and weigh up to 3.5 kg. Their feather colouration comes from yellow, orange, and red pigments found in a flamingo's diet.

Normal admission charges apply for those visiting the museum. It is free for annual ticket holders.