He had barely any feathers and couldn't even balance on his perch - let alone fly.

But on Sunday, Bert escaped from his home through a gap in the door.

"It's hard to believe he's gone," said owner Maureen Coker.

The Cokers bought him four years ago.

"I felt sorry for him in the pet shop because the other budgies were picking on him," said Maureen.

But within months of taking up residence at the Cokers' home in St John's Road, his white feathers had grown back and he had learned to fly.

Maureen bought him a large cage, but he doesn't like being cooped up so he spent most of his time sitting on someone's shoulder.

"He is such a friendly bird," she said. "He'd sit with anyone. He only went in his cage when he was hungry."

It seems, Bert, had also learned to talk and imitate the sound of a machine gun - a skill he picked up from listening to computer games.

But despite being a strong flier, his owner fears for his safety.

"As he headed out he must have thought he was going on a great adventure," said Maureen.

"But we are desperately upset and just hope someone finds him."

She was offered some words of comfort, however, after calling the RSPCA minutes after he disappeared into the winter sky.

"They told me that he has a good chance of survival because budgies are tougher than we give them credit for," she said.

Maureen hopes that when Bert gets hungry, he will find a resting place on someone's shoulder.

"We've got some hope that he'll be found alive," she said.

Bert is white with blue and grey patches on his wings and was last seen heading south.

If you think you may have seen him, call Maureen Coker on 01565 654469.