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When it comes to the festive season , a turkey called Dinner knows his stuff.

The proud bird has seen at least 16 Christmases come and go, making him Britain’s oldest turkey.

Owner Marie Gee, 62, of Sneinton, Nottingham, said: “He’s a pet – he’s never come close to being slaughtered. We couldn’t do it.”

The plucky bird has ruled the roost and avoided being served up with the sprouts at his farm since 1999.

And while the festive period is grim news for most turkeys, Dinner will be spending it with his girlfriend.

Marie spared him from the roasting tin when she began working at Stonebridge Farm in 1999.

She took over the business in 2004 and has not had the heart to slaughter him ever since.

Read more:Christmas turkey escapes dinner table by staging daring CHICKEN RUN escapes

Staff named him ‘Dinner’ thanks to his ability to avoid ending up on the table on Christmas Day.

Marie and husband Stephen, 64, keep him as a pet in a paddock alongside 60 chickens and 30 ducks.

The couple have no idea how old the turkey is - but say he is at least 16.

(Image: SWNS)

Stephen says Dinner’s longevity is down to him being too tricky and aggressive to catch - as well as his romance with a turkey hen.

He said: “He is at least 16 years old. We are confident that he is one of the oldest turkeys around.

“He’s also the luckiest - he gets past Christmas every year and breathes a big sigh of relief in January.”

Stephen, who co-owns the urban farm with his wife, added: “Even if we wanted to eat him I think he would be too vicious to catch.

“But I think his real secret is his girlfriend, the other turkey in the farm. He likes showing off to her and I think that’s given him a new lease of life."

Read more:I tried to buy turkey to stop it being eaten but was told it was cruel

The oldest known turkey in captivity died aged 13 years. Britain’s previous oldest turkey was Patchwork, who died at her home in Henfield, West Sussex, in June aged 11.

Owner Linda Turvey was so distraught at having the bird put down she wrote an obituary that was printed in her local paper.

Male turkeys in captivity usually live for two years, and females three. Those bred for food live for about a year.

Wild turkeys live for an average of 10 years.