Kris Bell's house has been silent since his chatty African Grey parrot Lulu flew out of the window.

In the days following, Kris and his partner Rosie scoured the area.

Devastated by Lulu's disappearance, Mr Bell is hoping residents of the Oakerside area of Peterlee, in County Durham, will keep a look-out for his feathered friend.

Lulu means so much to the couple that they have put up a substantial reward for her safe return.

It was nearly a year ago that Kris bought Lulu, who is largely grey, with bright red tail feathers.

Lulu soon became a cherished family member.

Allowed to roam free from her downstairs perch, Lulu went to Kris and Rosie's bedroom to wake them each morning calling out her name and shouting: "Haway."

"We have a cage for her, but we didn't like to see her in it, so we had a perch for her in the house from where she could go where she liked,'' said Mr Bell.

But on May 26, the couple had their patio windows open and Mr Bell had gone into the garden.

He said: "It was quite windy and the blinds clashed on the wall which must have frightened Lulu who flew out of the patio windows. We saw her fly into the sky and then lost sight of her."

There was a sighting of her near Shotton Hall school, the following day, but no-one has seen her since.

Mr Bell has contacted the organisation Parrot Link, has leafleted hundreds of homes in the area and is offering a reward.

"We just want her back. We can't bear to think of her out there with no-one to look after her.''

Anyone with information about Lulu is asked to call Mr Bell on 07903 835208.