Escaped large bird on Somerset Levels should be avoided, police warn

The rhea, a South American bird, can reach running speeds of up to 40mph (64km/h)

Police are warning people not to approach a large flightless bird that has gone missing on the Somerset Levels.

The rhea, similar to an ostrich, escaped from a paddock in Chilton Polden at about 23:00 BST on Tuesday.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the bird was "not usually aggressive, but we'd advise people to call us if they see it".

He said the pet bird was grey and about 5ft (1.52m) tall.