A puppet bird is to represent Ireland at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Dustin The Turkey's rendition of 'Irelande Douze Pointe' beat five other finalists in the televised 'Eurosong' competition on Saturday night.

Lyrics included: "Shake your feathers and pop your beak, shake it to the west and to the east. Wave Euro-hands and Euro-feet, wave them in the air to the turkey beat."

The song, by Darren Smith and Simon Fine, parodies the voting system at the Europe-wide contest, which has become renowned for tactical voting between neighbouring countries.

Dustin will now perform in the first semi-final in Serbia on May 20 in a bid to win a spot in the final four days later.

He rose to fame in Ireland in 1990 after appearing alongside fellow puppets Zig and Zag in RTE's The Den, before landing his own show Dustin's Daily News.

He has also released 14 singles and six albums, the most recent of which - 2005's Bling When You're Minging - included a duet with 'Lady In Red' singer Chris De Burgh.

Ireland has won the song contest seven times but finished last in 2007.

> British Eurovision contenders announced