A mum has made a desperate appeal for help to trace Charlie, a gender-changing, foul-mouthed parrot who she says is part of the family.

Debbie Asbury was left devastated after the bird flew away from their home in Craydene Road, Erith on Friday, April 24 at about 3pm.

The 49-year-old Crossrail worker had been unpacking the shopping when, unaware the cage was open, she came in and the parrot escaped out of the front door.

She said: "I had been at work and was taking the shopping out of the car to bring inside when Charlie flew out."

Since then the family– including Debbie's two daughters – has been led on a wild goose chase of suspected sightings.

The last official sighting of Charlie is thought to be last Thursday when a bus driver said "he was 90% sure he'd seen Charlie flying over Manor Road, Bexley".

Later the family received another call from a lady in Iron Mill Lane, Crayford, who said she'd come across a bird like theirs sat on her back fence but this was on Monday.

Now a photographer has got in touch, who claims to have spotted a lookalike in Joyden's Wood, heading in the Dartford direction.

"He could not see if it was in fact Charlie but it was definitely a parrot," the owner said.

Debbie says she is more than just a pet and has been part of the family for 12 years.

Charlie is a female African grey parrot with a distinctive red tail, and two bald patches where she has gnawed at her feathers.

When they first got her they thought she was a boy until a shocking discovery three years ago.

"She was a boy for nine years and then one day she had laid five eggs," Debbie said.

Charlie can imitate fire alarms and telephone calls but also has a few other party tricks.

This includes belting out expletives.

Foul-mouthed rants can include "f*** off you mug" and "do one you t***", which her owner has been unable to correct.

But she hastens to add the bird has a lovely side, is particularly fond of men and even says "I love you" when family members go to bed.

"We miss her very much and just want her home," Debbie said.

"We've never had something like this before – it is devastating she has not come back."

The family are praying for her safe return and urge anyone who has any information or believes they have sighted Charlie to get in touch at 07824 379781.

Read more: All the latest news from Bexley and Bromley

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford