Have you seen missing falcon Tom in Hartlepool?

Tom, a Pere/Saker falcon, flew the coop from his home at Walworth Castle Bird of Prey, near Darlington, on Saturday, July 3.

Handlers say he got spooked during a demonstration and are desperate to get him back.

Chris White, of Walworth Castle, said Tom was last seen over the centre of Hartlepool, on July 3 and 4.

Other possible sightings have come from Whitby, Northumberland and Nottingham.

But Chris said: “I believe he is probably still around the Hartlepool area. He is quite a large bird and does stand out from other sorts of birds.

“He could be sitting in somebody’s garden for all we know. It is the first time this has happened and we are all anxious to get him back.”

Tom can be identified as he has jesses – long straps of leather – attached to his feet.

Walworth Castle Birds of Prey is using social media to spread news of the search far and wide and has set up the hashtag #findtom in a bid to track him down.

Anyone with information can find out more at Walworth Castle Birds of Prey’s Facebook page or call head falconer Tori Goodall on (01325) 608100.