Speedy bird races cars

A speeding ostrich races cars - or was it?

The escaped bird, decided that an exciting form of exercise was to race passing vehicles on a main road between two villages in the UK county of Kent.

At just over two feet tall, the youngster managed to cause traffic chaos, creating long queues during the morning rush-hour traffic.  It also managed to reach speeds of 40mph (64kmh according to shocked motorists, overtaking some 20 cars during its short racing career.  It was perhaps lucky for passing motorists that this wasn't an adult, which can reach top speeds of up to 60mph!

The hapless bird even became a Twitter sensation, delivering its own 'Tweets' via @TWellsOstrich.

In fact, the bird turned out to be a Rhea, which is similar in appearance to an Ostrich, and was owned by a local farmer who had named the bird - appropriately - Baby. The bird was eventually cornered in a nearby property and returned safe and sound to its owner - a Mrs Lamb.