Lovelorn peacock on the loose sparks search

Kevin, a young peacock, has been on the loose since 30 March and is making a name for himself with a social media page tracking sightings of him

The owner of a lovelorn peacock who has gone off looking for a mate and then failed to come home says the amount of local support to find him has been "overwhelming".

Kevin left his home in Ashingdon, Essex, on 30 March.

The javan peacock has been spotted in multiple locations since then, including on sun loungers, pub roofs and crossing a busy dual carriageway.

In his absence, owner Hannah Hales brought in two peahens to try to entice him back, and set up a Facebook page to track sightings of him.

"The support has been overwhelming. Everyone's been so nice on there, and the main thing is to get him home," she told the BBC.

"This is his first breeding season that he's been out.

"I made a mistake thinking he'd come back, and he flew a little bit too far to find love."

Kevin - pictured before his escape - has been living at his home in Ashingdon near Southend-on-Sea for the last year

The amorous avian has been spotted up to six miles (10km) from home, most recently having crossed the A127 dual carriageway, before being seen in Thundersley.

He has also been pictured near The Crown Pub in Rayleigh, on rooftops across the area, and in gardens in the Bulwood Hall area of Hockley.

"I'm a bit concerned about how far out he's getting, but I'm hoping with everyone's support we will track him to be able to return him at some point," Ms Hales said.

The 36-year-old also keeps chickens, ducks, horses and alpacas.

Hannah Hales has been helped by local people and organisations including Tilly's Angels, which usually helps search for lost dogs

The peahens - as yet unnamed - are awaiting the return of their potential new mate, Kevin

Peafowl - including peacocks and peahens - have some of the largest feathers in the world and are known for their vibrant colours.

The male birds grow their trains of iridescent feathers during the mating season, fanning them out and rattling them to attract a mate.

Ms Hales admits Kevin is "a bit" far away to realise there are two peahens nesting at home.

She and those helping her hunt for Kevin are using food and transporting one of the peahens with them to locations where he has been spotted, all to try to lure and safely trap him.

"If and when we get him back, the girls will be enough to keep him here next year", Ms Hales said.