ONE of the world's rarest birds has been found wandering around a seaside town's promenade, it emerged today.

The Northern Bald Ibis was discovered close to the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool by a group of children on Sunday. The species has been battling against extinction and until recently only 220 of the insect-eaters were known to exist in the wild, in three protected colonies in Morocco.

Earlier this year a further seven birds were found in Syria.

A couple from Greater Manchester contacted the Three Owls Bird Sanctuary in Rochdale when the bird was found and it is now recovering there, surrounded by mirrors to fool it into thinking it is among friends.

Sanctuary trustee Nigel Fowler said he was shocked and amazed when he saw the 18-month-old bird, whose species was once revered by the Ancient Egyptians.

"I have never seen one in the flesh before," he said.

"I think it has either escaped from a zoo or a private collection. But Chester Zoo and Blackpool Zoo have no reports of missing birds.

"Fortunately, it is in good health and anyone who has any information should get in touch."

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