A RARE European eagle owl has been spotted again in Bolton.

The bird of prey does not live naturally in the UK and is believed to have escaped captivity.

As reported in The Bolton News, it was first seen on Monday last week perching on the top of a chimney in Fifth Avenue, Heaton, by Bolton Museum worker, Pete Liptrot.

It was spotted again on Thursday in a large tree at the rear of Albert Road, Heaton. A resident said: "We have had owls around here before and you can here them talking to each other but this one is louder and its wing span is massive."

Mr Liptrot said he believed there are around 2,000 in captivity and that this one may have escaped.