Missing reindeer found after escaping from Elveden Christmas grotto

Two reindeer like these ones from Majestic Reindeer ended up on the A11 at Barton Mills

Two reindeer who went missing after escaping from a Christmas grotto event have been found at a country estate.

The Elveden Estate in Suffolk said Blue and Blitzen had "got spooked and jumped the fence" on Sunday afternoon.

External company Majestic Reindeer had brought them to the the estate when they bolted and wandered onto the A11.

Elveden's courtyard general manager Denise Sharpe said they were "happy" that the company had "got them back for Christmas".

Police were called to reports of two reindeer on the A11 near Mildenhall at 14:20 GMT.

Officers closed the road in both directions to ensure the safety of road users, only reopening them after 17:00 when the reindeer had moved away.

But it took until Monday lunchtime for the Elveden Estate and Majestic Reindeer to track down the antlered absconders.

Blue and Blitzen were at a Christmas event at Elveden Estate when they decided to make a dash for it.

Ms Sharpe said they were finally found on the Elveden estate - one of the biggest farms in the UK, owned by Lord Iveagh of the Guinness family.

"They went for quite a run," she said. "We located them last night, but couldn't get close enough to bring them in, and then it became too dark."

She said the owner came back on Monday with another reindeer in tow, and eventually managed to get Blue and Blitzen to safety.

"It has never happened before - Majestic Reindeer have a lower fence at their paddock than we do here," she added.

The owner of Majestic Reindeer said she was "just so happy to get the reindeer home".