A friendly collared dove which has become a 'local celebrity' in a small Norfolk village has gone missing - and now a reward is being offered for his safe return.

Eastern Daily Press: Ringo the dove sitting on the hand of reporter Luke Powell. Photo: Luke Powell.Ringo the dove sitting on the hand of reporter Luke Powell. Photo: Luke Powell. (Image: Archant)

Ringo was well-known to people living on St Michael's Road in Long Stratton due to his unusual habit of flying onto the heads of visitors.

But after being featured in the Eastern Daily Press and national media for scaring the local postman, he was taken away to an unknown animal sanctuary.

Now, a group of children and adults from the south Norfolk village have put together a £100 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.

Angela Reeve, 48, whose mother regularly fed the animal, said: 'If you look at all the photographs of the children with the dove, you will see they have all grown really fond of him.

Eastern Daily Press: Ringo was well-known to people living on St Michael�s Road in Long Stratton due to his unusual habit of flying onto the heads of visitors. Photo: Luke PowellRingo was well-known to people living on St Michael�s Road in Long Stratton due to his unusual habit of flying onto the heads of visitors. Photo: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

'They are all so upset about it because they don't understand why he has been taken away. He was not vicious.'

Miss Reeve said the person who asked for the bird to be removed had not revealed where it had gone.

And she claimed that none of the local wildlife sanctuaries had any information about the animal.

'We want to make sure he is being cared for properly,' Miss Reeve said. 'It would be lovely for him to be brought back.'

'It's a shame he was taken away because everyone liked seeing him. He has become a bit of a local celebrity.'

Ringo, or 'Harry' as he is known to some, made the headlines earlier this month for harassing one of the village's postmen.

The issue had resulted in some people paying to have their post boxes moved outside of the bird's territory to ensure letters were delivered.

MORE: Neighbours take action to stop 'friendly' collared dove from terrorising Long Stratton postmanNeighbour Joan Angier, 71, who calls the dove Harold, said he first came to the area in April this year.

She said he became more tame as people started feeding him.

'He's a lovely bird and we all love him around here,' she said.

A woman has since contacted the EDP to say the dove has been 'taken to safety' and was at a wildlife sanctuary.

She said: 'The dove has gone to a wildlife centre after its existence was put in jeopardy by the adverse publicity as to her being 'vicious' and traumatising the postman.'

• Do you know where the dove is? Email luke.powell@archant.co.uk or call 01603 772684.