A BALD eagle which escaped from a bird of prey sanctuary has been spotted near Ledbury.

Cremorne, who has a wingspan of approximately seven feet, went missing from the International Centre for Birds of Prey (ICBP) in Newent on Saturday.

A wide-ranging search was launched to locate the distinctive black-and-white bird, whose tracking device failed on Monday night, with sightings reported from as far away as Alaska.

However on Wednesday evening she was spotted on the Newent side of Ledbury, and on Thursday morning ICBP staff were still trying to coax her down using food.

Adam Bloch, trustee of the ICBP, said: "It is a matter of keeping eyes on her and following her and persuading her she is hungry enough to come down. She looks well.

"She is no threat to anybody or anything. She just need to get to the point where she is hungry enough to come back and that will overcome all the fear she is feeling from local wildlife."

However, it is possible eight-year-old Cremorne may be lost once again - especially in warm, sunny conditions like today (Thursday).

Mr Bloch explained: "What usually happens is something will come and mob her and she will get driven away further.

"On a hot day like today (Thursday) she is quite capable of thermaling so she can get up quite high and it is difficult to track her."

The ICBP has asked anyone who spots her to call or email them, preferably with a photograph of the sighting.

A Facebook post appealing for help to find Cremorne has been shared more than 1,500 times and various media organisations have reported on her escape.

Mr Bloch said: "We have had people from all around the world, I think some people might have even thought she might be in Alaska.

"We are very grateful to everybody who has been phoning in. Thank you to everybody that has tried to help."

If you see Cremorne call the ICPB centre on 01531 820286 or 07759 723413.

For more information about the ICPB visit icbp.org