Shoppers in a Welsh town are celebrating after it was confirmed an adorable robin which has been flying around the aisles of their local Aldi won’t be removed.

The little bird has been bringing joy to people in Brecon for two years by flittering in and out of the store, and regaling shoppers and staff with cheerful songs throughout the day.

However, fears were raised over his future this month after a rumour spread that store managers were considering bringing in pest control to get rid of him following a complaint from a customer.

Such was the concern for their winged friend, one local even set up a petition demanding that Aldi refrain from interfering with the animal, causing a groundswell of support for the creature.

Officials from the store have now confirmed that the ‘beloved robin’ is free to stay and that there are no efforts underway to remove him from against his will.

The robin (pictured) has been serenading shoppers from the middle aisle of the supermarket for two years

There was alarm after suggestions the bird could be removed from the Aldi store in Brecon (pictured), but officials from the branch insist that won’t happen

Stefan Woods, who lives in the village of Llangynidr, said he had been told by a member of staff at the branch ‘they had called in pest control’ after complaints about hygiene.

This sparked him to set up a petition, with the account manager telling the Times he would ‘feel guilty if I didn’t try to save it’.

He said: ‘Everybody loves the robin. He tends to hang around the middle aisle, where all the crazy stuff is sold. He just sits there and sings. You see people taking pictures and videos.’ 

In a petition, which was set up on December 10, he wrote: ‘There is a beloved robin who is a daily visitor to the Brecon Aldi. 

‘He arrives in the morning and then flies out before closing time and spends his day singing to the visitors of the store. He has become a symbol of joy and happiness for everyone who visits the store.

‘This little bird, with its vibrant red breast and cheerful song, has touched our hearts and brightened our days. 

‘However, it is now under threat of extermination. It is unclear what the plans are for the Robin but it has been mentioned that the bird may be killed.’

The suggestion that the adorable bird could be removed or killed sparked fury from some signees.

Helen Munday wrote: ‘He needs to stay. He’s the highlight of my weekly shopping trip and everyone looks for him when they pass the middle aisles. He needs to replace Kevin the carrot and get his own Christmas advert!’

David Morris added: ‘I’ve seen him in the store and heard it singing. It’s and absolute delight and makes a trip to the store a bit more enjoyable.’ 

Sebastian Chambers simply wrote: ‘Don’t you f****** dare touch the robin.’

This was quickly followed by a happy update from Mr Woods, who said: ‘A member of staff that works in branch has informed us that the Robin is keeping his home and isn’t going anywhere – some customers had complained and the store has spoken with pest control but the Robin isn’t going anywhere. Result!’

Ben Jones, the assistant manager of the store, insisted there would be no efforts to remove the bird and that it is welcome to stay ‘as long as it wants’. 

Robins have a reputation for being relaxed and friendly around humans. Pictured: A robin on a holly hedge

He told the BBC a customer had complained because they were worried the robin was ‘trapped’ inside the store, but this had been resolved when they were assured ‘he comes and goes as he pleases’. 

He said it was ‘strictly not true’ that the bird would be harmed and added that the store had even ‘passed all its environmental health checks so there’s no risk to the public’.

Mr Jones told the corporation: ‘He normally comes in through the loading bay doors when we have a delivery, but if not he will literally sit at the trolley bay until we open the doors at eight o’clock.

‘It’s a lovely thing to come to work to in the morning. Everyone loves him.

‘You can usually find him on the specials aisle – he must have an eye for a bargain.’

Robins have a reputation for being relaxed and friendly around humans, although they can be very territorial against what they perceive to be threats.

They are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which protects all wild birds, their nests and eggs. It also makes it an offence to intentionally disturb some species of bird while they are nesting.