OWNERS of a much-loved parrot which has escaped from its home have today doubled the reward on offer for its return to �1,000.

OWNERS of a much-loved parrot which has escaped from its home have today doubled the reward on offer for its return to �1,000.

John and Rachel Keeble are desperate to find their pet, which has now been missing 13 days.

They are worried how the young bird, called Marley, will cope in the wild and are hoping someone in the town will see him and help bring him home.

“We have been searching everywhere and are at our wit's end,” said Mr Keeble.

“It's horrible to think of him out there and not knowing what has happened to him makes it worse.

“It's upsetting for me and my wife because without a body there is no closure - if he was hit by a car and we had his body there would be closure.

“All we can do it leave his empty cage on the patio with the door open and hope he flies home.”

Since Marley flew off from the couple's home in Chelsworth Road, Felixstowe, on Thursday May 21 about 7pm there has been one possible sighting and they have heard some parrot-like noises.

He is a blue fronted Amazon parrot, though mainly green in colour with yellow and blue around his head. He is about 14 inches long and 18 months old.

“Being so young he has some vocals like 'Hello', 'What's that' and 'Who's that', but will be very nervous of strangers,” said Mr Keeble.

Anyone who sees Marley or finds him is asked to call Mr Keeble on 07904 280099 or 07939 614402.