A five-foot rhea is on the loose in rural Norfolk having gone missing from its owner's garden.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lawrence the rhea, who has been missing from Norton Subcourse since TuesdayLawrence the rhea, who has been missing from Norton Subcourse since Tuesday (Image: Archant)

Ashley Bullard hatched the rhea, a large bird similar to an ostrich, from an egg himself and the bird lives in his back garden in Norton Subcourse.

The bird, called Lawrence, has been missing since Tuesday, and Mr Bullard is offering a reward for his safe return.

He said: 'Rheas are very placid and gentle, and for the first three months of his life he lived in my cottage.

'He's more likely to run away from you than towards you and he certainly wouldn't attack any other creatures.

'He's most likely sunbathing in a field somewhere - he's very chilled out.'

Lawrence was spotted in marshland near Mr Bullard's home shortly after he went missing.

But unfortunately Mr Bullard was unable to carry him back home, and Lawrence escaped again.

Mr Bullard and his friends have been out scouring the area since Lawrence's disappearance, but there have been no sightings of him since Tuesday.

A £200 reward has been offered for his safe return, and anyone who spots Lawrence can call Mr Bullard on 07791 177238 or Max Robinson on 07718 161809.