Drone searches for wallaby on the run

One of the wallabies in Barkby Thorpe has hopped off into the countryside

A drone has been drafted in to help track down a runaway wallaby loose in Leicestershire.

Mr Willoughby Wallaby, one of four brothers at Roots at Thorpe Farm in Barkby Thorpe, hopped out of his enclosure after Storm Amy brought down a tree, damaging the perimeter on Monday.

Farmer George Mount said the community had been supportive and charity Drone to Home had also been involved in searching for the native Australian animal in the area.

With the wallaby still at large, people are asked to report sightings but not try to approach the animal.

Mr Mount said: "It [the falling tree] must have spooked Mr Willoughby Wallaby and I think he must have leapt the fence and the last sighting was of him disappearing through the hedge.

"They are fast and do hop along quite quickly.

"We're on the search for him. We've had a massive support.

"We're saying keep your eyes peeled but don't approach him - he's harmless but he might get spooked and keep running, so if you do see him let us know.

"Drone to Home have been super duper, they've covered a good three mile area of the village and surrounding fields. They said they're not giving up until they find him."

In an appeal, Drone to Home asked anyone sighting Mr WIlloughby Wallaby not to "shout, chase, or grab" and report sightings "immediately".

Farmer George Mount said a healthy tree was felled by Storm Amy's winds

It is thought wallabies are capable of surviving wild in the UK climate and populations of the non-native species have been established in parts of the country previously including the Peak District and Scotland.

But Mr Mount hopes the five-year-old wallaby will soon be reunited with his family at Thorpe Farm, where he had lived for the past four years.

He said: "Going back to lockdown period, we'd got a few animals around the farm, alpacas, chickens and goats.

"I'd done a stint working on a farm in Australia and became quite attached to the old wallabies and kangaroos so I found a breeder in Exeter.

"It's a lovely attraction, and has become a talking point for customers and locals."