A grandfather who has lost his pet parrot says it has been like losing a baby.

Lucky the three-year-old talking parrot went missing from his home in Haig Avenue, Chatham, on Saturday.

His owner Michael Bunch, 72, is offering a £100 reward for whoever finds Lucky.

Mr Bunch bought him from London as a baby and they've been together ever since.

Lucky lives with Mr Bunch, his wife Jean, 69 and their granddaughter Donna, 32.

Mr Bunch said: "Lucky went missing on Saturday, my granddaughter took him out in his cage into the back garden.

"But he managed to open the cage and fly away. He headed off towards Luton. Of course Donna is absolutely devastated."

When the African Grey Parrot got out the cage Mr Bunch rushed into the garden to try and coax him back.

Mr Bunch said: "I put my arm up and tried to call him down.

"Lucky could talk, he would say hello and love you, it was like having a proper conversation..." Mr Bunch

"If I had been wearing my dressing gown he would have recognised me, but I was wearing a leather jacket and he didn't seem to like it, so he flew away.

"That was Saturday morning and I haven't seen him since."
Since Saturday Mr Bunch has traipsed around the Towns on a search for Lucky.

He thinks it is likely Lucky could be in Capstone Valley Park, in Capstone Road, Gillingham, as there is a green parrot population there.

The Capstone Park rangers are on the look out and Mr Bunch has notified the RSPB.

Mr Bunch said: "Lucky could talk, he would say hello and love you, it was like having a proper conversation.

"I miss him very much, it is like losing a baby.

"He always stayed in the house and he's never gone missing before.

"He's an African Grey, so has a white face, grey body and bold red tail, you can't miss him. He answers to his name.

"I have had one person who thought they saw him by the One Stop Shop in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham but I went down there and there was no sign of him."

If you spot Lucky call Mr Bunch on 01634 323234.

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