A HEARTBROKEN young bird enthusiast is desperate for the return of the owl he has hand-reared since it was a chick.

Scott Patterson was devastated on discovering Barney, his barn owl, was missing when he went to feed him in his aviary at the family home in Gilesgate, Durham, last Friday.

The lock appeared to have been forced and there was no sign of the six-month-old bird.

Scott, 14, has trained Barney to take feed from his hand from a gradually greater distance, having reared him from eight-weeks-old.

His father, Gary, who used to keep birds himself, believes someone became aware of the bird in the aviary at the rear of the house, and targeted it for sale.

He appealed for anyone who may have seen Barney to get in touch.

"Scott's really gutted. It was his bird, he's fed it and trained it and he's desperate to get him back. He's had budgies before and he moved on to this earlier in the year. He got this from a proper breeder when it was young.

"It looks like they knew what they were after, because they went into the back garden and broke the lock to force the door open.

"It was well locked up."

PC Steve Barrow, of the Sherburn section office of Durham Police, agreed that it appeared to be a targeted theft.

He said the person responsible had risked a potential prison sentence for the sake of about £40 for the unlawful sale of such a bird.

Force wildlife experts say the bird is ringed for identification purposes and should stand out as barn owls are rarely seen at this time of year.

Anyone who becomes aware of the whereabouts of a previously unseen owl is asked to contact PC Barrow, on 0191-375 2844.

Alternatively, contact Mr Patterson, on (07900) 943667.