THE worried owner of an African parrot which escaped from his Skipton home on Saturday has asked friends and neighbours to keep an eye out for the bird.

The 14-year-old pet, known as Charlie Porter, has been kept by Eddie Porter, 82, of North Parade, since the bird was very young.

Charlie, an African Grey, escaped on Saturday and was spotted perched in a tree near Greatwood School on Monday morning.

And though parrots can survive in the wild in Britain, there are fears that he could be attacked by flocks of other birds such as crows, common in the area.

Residents have been asked to keep their eyes and ears open in a bid to track Charlie Porter down, and Eddie's neighbours have been out and about searching for the bird. Pupils at Greatwood School have also been asked to watch for him, and an appeal has been put on Facebook.

Eddie's friend Jim Morrissey, of Rombalds Drive, said: "Eddie's deeply upset - he has kept Charlie for almost all the parrot's life and needs to find him safe and well.

"Charlie is often out of his cage in the room. On Saturday Eddie's daughter was using the vacuum cleaner.

"We think the noise must have spooked him and off he went through an open window.

"It's easily done - I keep parrots myself and you get used to them being around the house and forget about open windows.

"Charlie whistles and talks and we are hoping that he may come to someone calling his name.

"But we are worried that he could be mobbed by aggressive birds. Also he is used to cats and has no fear of them, which is also worrying."

Anyone who spots Charlie Porter is asked to contact Jim on 07510 103996 or Eddie on 01756 791111.