A BIRD of prey which went missing during a falconry display is still on the loose.

However, falconer Rob Allott has been encouraged by hundreds of sightings by readers of The Northern Echo.

Jack, a Lanner falcon, disappeared at Lanchester Show earlier this month and Mr Allott, of Belmont, Durham, is worried he may be weak with hunger, or injured.

Since the story appeared in The Northern Echo, Rob has been inundated with nearly 300 phone-calls from people believing they had spotted the Jack.

Most said they would not take the £500 reward which Rob offered for his return.

The falconer has already travelled hundreds of miles following up the phone calls, trying to pick up a signal from the bird's transmitter.

He is holding out hope after a family showed him a photograph they took of a falcon which settled on a neighbour's shed in Lanchester, not far from where Jack went missing.

Rob knew instantly that it was his falcon and was doubly surprised to see evidence that the bird had caught its own food.

Anyone who spots a bird of prey with a creamy front, gingery-brown head and brown leather jesses attached to its legs, is asked to ring Mr Allott on 0191-384 8498.