THIS turkey seemed to be making a last-minute bid for freedom when it was found running around a Worcester housing estate.

Whether it had been trying to escape from the Christmas dinner table or not, it certainly caused a flap in Chelmsford Drive, Warndon.

Resident Lyn Hughes, who took the photographs of 'Tommy' the turkey, said she was having lunch at home when a teenager called asking if she kept turkeys.

Believing it to be a prank, she sent him away but later saw him pacing outside and took him the phone book to call the RSPCA.

She said: “I asked him where the turkey was, he said it was behind a bush and took me to where it was.

“Imagine the shock when he ran out in front of me and started strutting around.”

The young lad stayed with the turkey for more than five hours but it eventually got too cold for him.

“He was clearly upset at the thought of the turkey being out all night and said a fox would probably get it.

“I told him that he had done everything he possibly could for the turkey and he deserved a medal for his efforts,” said Mrs Hughes.

Two RSPCA vans turned up at 7pm and managed to catch the bird. A spokesman for the RSPCA said the bird had been taken to the vet where it was checked over but they did not know where it had originally come from.

The fortunate feathered friend will now spend the festive season at a local bird sanctuary.

l Do you know where the turkey came from? Call our newsdesk on 01905 742244 or e-mail news@worcesternews.co.uk