The owner of a pet skunk which escaped in Great Cornard has spoken of an 'awful' and 'sad' few days trying to find him. 

Ace the skunk disappeared from his home in Applegate Mews in the village near Sudbury last Thursday - and owner Vik Ellis said she has been looking for him in the area ever since. 

"We have searched the whole of Great Cornard. Friends and family have helped, looked and brought dogs out to help," she explained.

"He was sighted in a garden on Oxford Close - we went to check on Monday morning but he wasn't there, unfortunately." 

Ace the skunkAce the skunk (Image: Vik Ellis)

Ms Ellis, who works in the kitchen of the Maldon Grey pub alongside her son, who works on the bar, said she will continue the hunt on Monday night after work. 

She said she and her friend took Ace the skunk on as a rescue, along with an iguana, from a couple who were no longer able to look after them.

Ace now lives with Ms Ellis and her son full time. 

Vik Ellis, who is searching for her pet skunkVik Ellis, who is searching for her pet skunk (Image: Vik Ellis)

Speaking of his disappearance, Ms Ellis said: "It has been awful. He escaped on my watch while my son was at work. 

"All the staff and regulars have been so worried as we take Ace in to see the pub.

"We think he got under the gate while I was sorting his dinner out. It's been sad without him, we all miss him very much."

Ms Ellis will continue the search for Ace the skunk later on Monday evening. She asks that everyone in the area checks their gardens for signs.