Bird-watch couple land dream job

David and Susannah Parnaby have been chosen to run the new Fair Isle Bird Observatory out of almost 50 people from all over Europe who applied for the post.

When they start next spring, it will mean leaving the relative metropolis of Ellon, near Aberdeen, to join the 70 people who live on the tiny island half way between Shetland and Orkney.

The Parnabys were picked from a shortlist of four couples who spent the weekend on the island seeing what the job entailed and meeting islanders. The couple will be taking their 16-month-old daughter, Grace, and they are looking forward to bring up as a Shetlander.

"Moving to Fair Isle will be a life-changing experience and a fantastic opportunity to live and work somewhere so well known. I can't think of anywhere better in Britain to be based," said Mr Parnaby, 33, who grew up in Sunderland.

Mr Parnaby has worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for many years, including six months on the tiny Calf of Man, where his only fellow residents were two other ornithologists. "It'll be nice to have a bustling community of 70 on Fair Isle," he said.

The 4 million observatory building opened to visitors in June and can accommodate 30 residents in en-suite rooms, but work on the warden's accommodation is only now being finished.