RESIDENTS of Newton Hall, near Durham, have reported an unusual back garden visitor - an escaped parrot.

The bird has been spotted in several gardens on the estate over the past week.

Bird-lovers suspect the avian escapee has come from a home but all efforts to catch the bird, or find its owner, have come to nothing.

Margaret Stainthorpe has been putting food out for the bird.

She said: "It feeds on an apple we have put out.

"It really is beautiful and someone must be missing it. But how do you catch it?"

  •  Are you missing your parrot? If so, contact the newsdesk on 01325-505068.