AN ESCAPED bird caused quite a flap as it ran barefoot into Great Harwood at 40 miles an hour past confused drivers.

The three-foot rhea, related to the emu and ostrich, made a break from Lord's House Farm in Rishton on Sunday after it was startled and chased by a terrier dog.

Amazed motorists called Great Harwood Police as the flightless bird dashed down Wilpshire Lane and onto Blackburn Road.

Sergeant Oliver Jones, of Great Harwood Police, said: "We were called at 5pm and sent three 'emu negotiators' to help catch the bird. We had to close the road for a short time.

"It was very difficult but after about half-an-hour we managed to corner it in a field and four people from the farm then managed to restrain it."

The rhea was eventually bundled into a police van and returned safe and sound to the farm, which is a charity that runs a riding school for disabled and disadvantaged children.

Karen Hamer, animal care supervisor at the farm, said: "The rhea caused a bit of unwanted excitement. The police had managed to get it in the field and when it was in a suitable position myself and my colleague Colin dived on it and grabbed it by its wings until we managed to rope them down.

"The rhea is a powerful bird and we had to stay behind it because it can kick forward with its legs and it has big sharp toenails.

"We were laughing with the police officers and we have nicknamed the bird Zola after its attempt to follow in the footsteps of athlete Zola Budd."

Kath Thacker, activities and volunteer co-ordinator at the farm, said: "We have a number of public footpaths that pass across our land and I would ask anyone walking through with dogs to please keep them on a lead."

Things you never knew about a flightless giant

HERE are some fun facts about rheas:

  • Rheas are large flightless birds native to South America.
  • They were named in 1752 by Paul Mohring after an ancient Earth goddess - but why he chose this name is still unclear.
  • Adult American rheas can weigh up to 30 kgs - making them the largest bird in America.
  • Darwin's Rheas are famed for their speed and can easily hit 60mph, outrunning most predators.
  • Male rheas mate with as many as 12 females which can lead to large nests filled with up to 60 eggs.
  • They mainly eat plants but can also eat seeds, roots, insects and small animals.
  • Farmers sometimes kill them as they will eat almost any crop plant. This has led to a sharp decline in their numbers over the years.
  • They are farmed in North America and Europe for their meat and eggs. Rhea oil is also used in cosmetics including soaps.