The escaped pelican from Blackpool Zoo has been photographed swimming in a lake 30 miles away at Middleton Nature Reserve in Heysham. Photographs taken of the missing pelican show the young bird swimming around with some new feathered friends.

Blackpool Zoo was immediately alerted and a team tried to recapture the pelican but was unsuccessful.

A zoo spokesperson said: ‘We continue to receive calls with positive sightings and our keepers respond to each one. The nature of the rescue is extremely complex and difficult, but our team will continue in their efforts.’

The spokesperson added, ‘If people see the pelican we ask they take a picture and send it us on 07799 226908 as soon as possible.’

Photographs of the bird were taken by Ian Muirhead at the Nature Reserve.