Public help sought in racoon hunt

The racoons could have travelled a large distance

People in north Devon are being asked to be on the look out for a pair of escaped racoons.

The alarm was raised on Saturday morning by the Combe Martin Wildlife Park, near Ilfracombe after staff discovered pair had escaped.

It is thought that the racoons, which are not dangerous, could have escaped any time during the past two days.

A Devon and Cornwall police spokeswoman said the racoons could have travelled a large distance in that time.

She said they were most likely to be found in the trees.

She said: "The racoons are described as both being young and not at all dangerous to the public.

"Racoons can travel some distance and they are likely to favour living in trees.

"We are asking anyone with sightings of these racoons to call the park direct."