A parrot owner is calling on people to be vigilant as the search continued for escaped African Grey Billie.

Laura Rose of St Dunstan's Drive, Gravesend, volunteer for Birdline charity - which helps injured birds or birds that need rehoming - said the five-year-old was due to be moved to a new home with 'bonded mate' Millie today.

But after Billie escaped earlier this week, Laura says Millie has been growing increasingly distressed.

"She's showing signs of missing him," she said.

"She's quiet and looking down a lot. I don't want to move Millie now because it would be another upset."

An appeal for and information on Billie's whereabouts was shared on Facebook more than 450 times, and Laura is hoping to spread the word further.

Anyone that sees Billie is advised to put a blanket or towel gently over him and then pick him up.

"We went out looking for him and he got spotted in Mark Lane near the canal basin," added Laura.

"My partner went straight down there, but he got spooked and flew off.

"He flew towards Fort - people were out walking the next day calling his name.

"The next day he was sighted at Northfleet at Painters Ash - he ate some food from someone's bird table, but then he was gone and no one's seen him since.

"It's worrying because the weather's not good, plus other birds will attack him, and he doesn't know how to look for food."

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend