POLICE were last night continuing the hunt for a man who tried to steal two parrots from a Darlington pet shop.

The raid took place on Friday afternoon at Darlington Aquatics and Pets, when a masked man threatened staff before grabbing the two caged birds and running out.

As reported by The Northern Echo on Saturday, shop owner Maurice McCloskey struggled with the thief as he tried to escape in a car, forcing him to abandon one of the parrots - an African grey.

However, he escaped with an orange-winged Amazon, before crashing into a police motorcyclist.

The car was left in the Milbank Road area of the town and set alight. Police said they believed the bird was not killed in the fire.

They are still looking for it and the thief, who detectives believe may have been seen in the Gladstone Street area again on Saturday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.