Wallaby hops it from sanctuary

Police are hunting for an escaped wallaby called Hopper.

The marsupial hopped it from a sanctuary near Hexham, Northumberland after digging a small hole under a fence.

Police stressed that two-and-half-year-old Hopper was no danger to the public and was believed to be hiding in the Kielder Forest.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "At 12.40pm on 31 May police received a report of a fence having been damaged at the Kielder Bird of Prey Centre.

"On investigation police found that the fence had been damaged by a wallaby which had dug a small hole at ground level and escaped.

"The male wallaby, called Hopper, is two-and-a-half-years-old and is no danger to the public.

"Hopper is likely to be confused and is believed to be in the Kielder Forest area."

Anyone who sees the wallaby is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 03456 043 043.