The Leicester Mercury has been rocked by the kidnapping of a familiar face.

‘Elaine the owl’ disappeared from the subs’ desk on November 22, and in its place a chilling ransom note was left by the evil wrong-doers.

The realistic looking owl has been the sub-editors’ mascot for the past two years.

Elaine in happier days, with features editor Alex Dawson

Named Elaine after a former Mercury reporter, the bird ‘hoots’ when it detects motion – and has obviously ruffled someone’s feathers.

The ransom note, signed ‘killer’ read: “I’ve got your owl, get ready to pay” and demanded £1,500.

Sub editor Matthew Sulley said: “After that we had no other correspondence until last week, when we received a picture of Elaine outside a local church with a note that said the ransom had gone down to £150.”

Posters have now been pinned up around the Mercury office appealing for Elaine’s safe return.

But as yet, the culprit is still on the loose and Matthew says staff are becoming increasingly worried.

He said: “Everyone is really missing her, it’s terrible.

“Her batteries are probably running low so we are concerned. She is part of the desk and it must be upsetting for her.

“It has gripped the whole office.

“The letters are full of literals so at first we thought one of our reporters was responsible, but now we have a chief suspect on the picture desk.

“We belive a couple of people could be in cahoots.”

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