IT is said that, if one lovebird leaves, its partner can die of a broken heart. But a Suffolk owner is hoping that love will conquer all for two of her birds that have escaped from their garden aviary.

IT is said that, if one lovebird leaves, its partner can die of a broken heart.

But a Suffolk owner is hoping that love will conquer all for two of her birds that have escaped from their garden aviary.

Viv Collyer-Smith, who was given the birds as a wedding present four years ago, said the partners that had been left behind were showing signs of distress.

The birds flew through the hole where their bath usually is as Mrs Collyer-Smith, of Beccles, dashed to answer the phone as she was cleaning out the cage on Thursday. Since then, there have been possible sightings of the two birds in the town centre, by the River Waveney in willows - a tree species that is known to draw lovebirds - and at the nearby village of Gillingham over the weekend.

Their colourful markings would make the peach-faced lovebirds an unusual sight in the area, as they are bright green with blue on their backs and stand up to three inches high. Mrs Collyer-Smith is pinning her hopes on either the birds hearing their partners calling and returning or someone spotting them and contacting her.

'Lovebirds go in pairs, and they are calling for their partners to come back,' she said. 'They are very subdued at the moment; they are not taking any food. When I go to change the feed I'm not seeing much actually gone.'

Granddad, partner of Della, which had three babies two weeks ago before flying away, has been trying in vain to feed the youngsters properly, so for their own survival they have been taken to an animal sanctuary. Weet-weet, the other missing bird, has left behind her sister Weet, with which she shares a strong bond.

Call 07919 287156 if you see the birds.