DESPERATE residents have appealed for the owner of a flyaway peacock to remove it from their gardens.

Jackie Tyrell, who works as a police community support officer in Colchester, contacted the Gazette after the wandering bird settled in the gardens of homes in Ardleigh.

She said: “I thought it was funny and quite cute at first, but now it has eaten all my cauliflowers and all my vegetables are gradually disappearing.

“It is destroying the flowers and pooing everywhere. I simply don’t want it here any more.”

The peacock flew into the gardens about a week ago.

He has spent the nights sleeping in one cottage garden, and the days destroying the gardens of neighbouring homes. Jackie tried to approach the bird to catch him or see if he was tagged, but he would not let her get close.

She added: “As soon as you get about a foot away, he starts to run. He is simply not having any of it.

“Right now he is simply happy just sunning himself on my patio.”

She hopes someone may know who the bird belongs to, or where he has come from, and can help return him to his home.

Jackie added: “I’ll just be grateful when he’s gone and the smell and mess can be cleared up.”

* Anyone with information is asked to contact PCSO Tyrell at Colchester police station on 0300 3334444.