Snowy the white peacock recovering after being hit by car

The peacock has lived at the estate for four years, since it was a chick

A rare white peacock described as a "local celebrity" at its country park home is recovering after it was hit by a car.

Snowy suffered injuries to its head and neck when it was struck near Normanby Hall Country Park in North Lincolnshire on Thursday morning.

Despite earlier reports it had been deliberately driven at, police said the peafowl had walked in front of the car.

The four-year-old bird was seen by a vet but is now recovering at the park.

Snowy was hit just outside the grounds of the estate, on Normanby Road between 11:00 and 11:30 BST.

Police are investigating the incident, which took place on Thursday morning

He is the only white peacock on the estate, and lives with two blue - or Indian - ones.

A spokesman from Normanby Hall said: "He's the only white one we've got and he is the local celeb.

"Yesterday, there was a roofing company working near the park and they said they saw a car swerve to hit him. They picked him up and brought him into the park, which we are really grateful for.

The peacock lives at Normanby Hall in North Lincolnshire

"We took him to the vets who said he had hurt his leg and neck, we thought it was touch and go but they did a great job.

"He is feeling a bit sore and tender, so we won't be letting him out for a week, he has had something to eat and drink so he's feeling a bit better."

He added: "The staff here were absolutely devastated, Snowy is like a pet to them, he is really tame.

"He is well-loved locally so thankfully he is going to be OK."

A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: "We received a report of an accidental collision involving a peacock and car at Normanby Hall Country Park, yesterday at approximately 12.35pm.

"Following lines of inquiry, it was established that the bird had travelled into the path of the car."

The peafowl was struck on Normanby Road at about 11:00 BST on Thursday