An owl which escaped from an outdoor pursuits centre during strong winds has been found after getting stuck in a football goal net.

Mr Whoo, a European Eagle Owl with a six-foot wingspan, has been missing for three months after storms blew a hole in his cage at Clyne Farm Centre in Swansea.

He is in remarkably good condition and reports that he had been feeding on birds and squirrels appear substantiated Paul Llewellyn conservationist

Fears had grown that the six-year-old bird of prey would not survive the wild as he was bred in captivity.

However he was discovered on Friday at Ashleigh Road playing fields.

Since fleeing the centre last October, staff received calls from people claiming to have spotted Mr Whoo in Abergavenny and Merthyr Tydfil.

Clyne Farm Centre owner Geoff Haden said he was delighted to welcome Mr Whoo back home.

"When I got the call from the football groundsman David Stares, I was over the moon as I really thought that he'd gone for good.

Largest owl

"We had even demolished the remains of his aviary," he said.

The bird was bred by local conservationist Paul Llewellyn.

He said evidence would suggest that despite their fears, Mr Whoo had managed to fend for himself in the wild.

"He is in remarkably good condition and reports that he had been feeding on birds and squirrels appear substantiated.

"After a couple of days to get over the shock he should be back to normal," he said.

The European Eagle Owl is the largest species of owl in the world, and is a woodland hunter.

Their size means they can prey on fox and small deer although they will be happier catching smaller prey and regularly hunt for rabbit.