Manchester's much-loved clown Louby Lou heartbroken over family's lost parrot Dave

A much-loved children's clown is appealing for help in finding her family's precious parrot Dave.

Lucy Wilkinson, known across Greater Manchester as entertainer Louby Lou is distraught after Dave flew off from the family's home in Astley, Wigan, last week.

They've since shared various appeals on social media to try to track down the blue-fronted Amazon parrot, who is bright green with yellow on his head and has purple under his wings, with red tips. He is also wearing a blue ring around one of his legs.

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Despite possible sightings, including around the Kenwood Avenue junction of Manchester Road, Leigh, on Sunday afternoon, he has yet to be found, leaving Lucy, husband Stuart and their three daughters - especially youngest daughter 10-year-old Betsy - desperate to find him.

Lucy told us Dave has been part of the family for the last five years after they bought him when he was just a chick.

"He was always out of his cage and he never flew off," she said. "He'd just be on our arm and then jump to the floor or something. It was unusual for him to fly off out of the front door.

"Stuart had just got him off the light and he flew over to my daughter Martha's arm near the door and then just flew off."

After initially spotting him on a nearby roof, they were unable to grab him and off he went.

"It's very quiet with him," added Lucy. "He'd always imitate us and say 'hiya, you alright' and he'd shout the kids' names. I keep walking near his cage and have to stop myself saying 'hello Dave' as that's what I always did.

"He's not a big flyer so someone is just as likely to