AMAZED bystanders were in a flap yesterday (November 28) - when an escaped emu went walkabout in Devon.

The 4ft animal ruffled a few feathers in Riddell Avenue, Barnstaple, before it was hunted down and arrested by police.

A member of the public rang the police just before 8am when he saw a flightless bird walking along St Georges Road, near to Pilton Park.

Although the bird was in a state of panic, officers managed to coax it into the rear of the police car and call the owner.

The emu could have caused rush-hour chaos if it had have made its way to the nearby main road, police said.

Emus used to fall under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 but have been delisted.