A RARE bird caused a stir in Kidderminster as it paid the town an unexpected visit earlier this week.

A white stork was spotted flying around the town on Tuesday (August 6) with residents sharing photos on social media wondering where the bird came from.

Aaron Duncan, who took some snaps of the stork, said he was "shocked" when he saw it flying over St Mary's and All Saints' Church when he was walking his dog.

He said: "I thought it's too big to be a heron then noticed its black-tipped wings.

"It eventually landed in the middle of the main road (St Mary's Ringway) and traffic was having to drive around it.

"Eventually it landed on the railing in the photograph where it appeared very tame and was unfazed by people walking past, inches away.

"That's how I managed to get a good photograph of it. It was far larger than I expected, around 3-4ft tall with a huge wingspan".

He later took to social media to find out how the stork ended up in the town centre.

The white stork spotted in townThe white stork spotted in town (Image: Aaron Duncan)

It's been revealed that the stork is from Wild Zoological Park in nearby Bobbington. 

A spokesperson for the zoo said: "We have a flock of 18 free-flying uncaged storks that fly in our free flight spectacular every day - The Wild Wings Bird Show.  

"This one stopped off at M&S for a meal deal and flew home shortly after.

"They have amazing migratory and home location skills. We have the whole flock back with us this morning". 

According to Rewilding Britain, the white stork was driven to extinction in Britain in 1416 and there are now two captive breeding schemes in southern England.