An escaped rhea running between lanes brought rush-hour chaos to drivers on a busy main road in southeast England.

The bird, which some reports described as an ostrich, was seen walking along the A12 in Essex, near Colchester United FC's stadium.

The filmer wrote: "I pulled over to the side and looked in concern to see two men crowding around something. It wasn't until the ostrich started running through the lanes that I realised what it was!"

Lengthy traffic jams were reported in the area as motorists slowed down to avoid the animal.

The rhea has now been safely returned to his home, according to local police.