An animal sanctuary has launched a desperate hunt for a missing emu - feared to have been swept away by storms.

Malmesbury Animal Sanctuary in Wiltshire say 'Irwin' disappeared during a number of weather warnings on Monday.

Sanctuary volunteers fear he may have slipped into the river and swept downstream due to the field being partially flooded.

Emus are natural swimmers so volunteers believe that he might have exited on the opposite side of the river and might be resting in someone's garden.

A spokesperson said: "Irwin has lived in the field for over five years and has never left it before in all weathers."

''This behaviour is unusual and therefore likely to be an accident. Can we please ask everyone in that area to search their gardens.

''Keep a look out and to let us know if you have seen any suspicious behaviour around the sanctuary."