Anxious staff at a Great Yarmouth nursery are urging people to keep an eye out for their missing orangutan - after he disappeared during an outing in the town.

Kwame is a much loved cuddly companion for youngsters at Hillside Nursery in Bradwell, and has been visiting children in their homes with his best friend Dossie the bear for many years.

But disaster struck this week when the fluffy friend got lost during an outing into Great Yarmouth.

Staff have put up missing posters and alerted parents but so far there has been no positive sightings of Kwame, and they are now hoping a public appeal can help track him down.

Nadine Barber, nursery manager, said the stuffed primate playmate was a 'much loved' member of the nursery and staff were 'devastated' when he went missing on Wednesday.

'These two little toys go out [with the children] who take them home and the parents then write in a diary and bring back photos,' she added.

'We've got diaries going back quite a few years and the children love to sit and read about where Dossie and Kwame went. They came with a member of staff from another nursery, they really are quite precious toys.

'When I take them home and put them in the washing machine I say a little prayer and hope they'll come back out ok.'

The cuddly monkey was enjoying an outing to Great Yarmouth with Dossie when he went missing. He was taken to the market and then back to Bradwell via Gapton Hall and it is believed he was lost somewhere along the way.

Miss Barber said missing posters had gone up around the nursery and some parents have started to share them on Facebook, but staff have not let the children know yet in the hope he can be reunited with all his friends.

If you have seen Kwame and know where he is call Miss Barber at the nursery on 01493 661399 or Mercury reporter Lauren Rogers on 01493 847961.