A woman has described her relief after her talking parrot returned home after being "spooked" out of the house.

Karen Wilson, who owns Pablo the Parrot, escaped after being spooked by the sound of building work outside his home in Norton, near Stockton.

The pet of more than four years flown over Karen's husband Peter's head before escaping through a small gap on Monday, July 18.

A social media appeal was then launched in a desperate bid to help passers-by locate Pablo and inform Karen of any possible sightings.

The Northern Echo: Pablo loves Marks and Spencer almonds. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPablo loves Marks and Spencer almonds. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

After around 48 hours of much stress and worry, however, the pair was reunited after being spotted in a number of locations across the town.

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Karen, who is a matron in the operating department at University Hospital of North Tees, said: “We were so worried, absolutely hysterical. He’d never tried to escape before.”

In a stroke of luck, however, a neighbour contacted Karen and asked: “Are you missing a parrot? He’s on my roof!."

The Northern Echo: Pablo was very happy to return home. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPablo was very happy to return home. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Pablo had been spotted on the roof of a house, and Karen said she and Peter were both relieved and elated to be reunited.

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During his escape, Pablo had taken a tour of Norton, and had also been spotted near Norton Medical Centre, the High Street and on numerous other streets.

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Karen said: “We ran round there (to Dunlin Close) and he was very happy to see us. We coaxed him down with some Marks and Spencer almonds which he loves.

“When we got him home he was very tired and rested a lot. He was also starving so he loads of the almonds.

“He’s back to his usual self now. It’s like nothing happened. He’s been talking away non-stop and we’re so pleased to have him back.”

The Northern Echo: Pablo and Karen. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPablo and Karen. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Karen has since thanked everyone who shared social media posts regarding her lost pet and how kind the community had been in helping to track him down.

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