Police are appealing for help catching an escaped "fugitive" who flew the coop more than a week ago. They are keen to trace Charlie, a valuable parrot, who has disappeared from his Pool-in-Wharfedale home.

The two-and-a-half-year-old African grey escaped on Thursday August 13 after his owners Donna and Martin Dennison, of Church View, took him outside for some fresh air and exercise.

Mrs Dennison, 30, said: "He normally has one of his wings clipped but we'd just got back from holiday and it had grown back.

"Charlie was suddenly startled by a big bang and flew off. We're hoping that someone's found him and is taking care of him because I don't think he'd be able to survive outside for long on his own."

The £600 parrot, who has been with the Dennisons since he was a 12-week-old chick, lives on a diet of sunflower seeds, walnuts and fruit.

He is described as being about the size of a large pigeon and completely grey, apart from a short, stubby bright red tail feather.

A keen whistler and imitator his favourite phrases are "Hello, Charlie", "Good morning" and "What are you doing?"

A police spokesman said anyone who saw Charlie should not approach him, but put out some bread and contact Otley police immediately on (01943) 858071.

Meanwhile a man who stole an African Grey worth £600 pleaded guilty to the offence at Bingley Court.

Halima Aziz, prosecuting, said Paul Layden, 20, of Dudley Street, Tyersal, had broken into a home in Burley-in-Wharfedale on the afternoon of July 18.

Police were alerted and arrested him less than half an hour later carrying it in a gold covered cage in Menston. He was taken to Keighley police station and admitted to trying to break into the house the previous day in order to steal the parrot.

Miss Aziz said he had committed similar crimes before including taking ostrich eggs and a bird-related offence at Harewood House. Stephen Crouch, defending, asked magistrate Jane Boag to sentence Layden immediately but she said his sentence was a matter for Bradford Crown Court to decide.

The parrot's owner, who asked not be identified, said Layden had been spotted by someone she knew who challenged him. She said: "He told her he had just been burgled and he had been to get it back. There was blood dripping from his hand.

"She tried to detain him by pretending to offer her husband's help but he declined. The police picked him up anyway.

"We're glad to have the parrot back. He was a replacement for Jacko, another parrot we had had for 15 years who was also stolen."

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