UPDATE: 10am Friday, May 23:

Falcon Grace has now been located by her owners and returned to the farm. She was found on the edge of a field not far away from Marsh Farm in South Woodham Ferrers.

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A falcon has gone missing from a farm.

The white gyr saker falcon escaped from Marsh Farm in South Woodham Ferrers between 10.30am and 11am today.

The 12-year-old bird of prey flew over the river in the direction of Rayleigh and Hullbridge.

Marsh Farm’s head falconer Philip Huzzey said Grace broke free while he was cleaning her aviary at the Marsh Farm Road farm.

Phillip said: "She is about the size of a large seagull and will be sitting in a tree somewhere.

"She has a fluorescent green leash attached to her foot.”

Anyone who spots Grace is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Marsh Farm directly on 01245 321552.