The bull ran off as it was being herded into a field

The young bull became separated from his herd as he was being moved into a field in Lavistock.

Upset, he ran through the village before being cornered in a nearby garden.

Three more bulls eventually had to be brought into the garden to calm him down and coax him to safety.

Pitches evacuated

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "The animal broke away from the herd and ran into Church Road, closely followed by the farmer on horseback.

"Unfortunately the experience left the beast distressed and initial attempts to regain control of it and get it into the back of a vehicle proved unsuccessful."

Following concerns it could break out of the garden and pose a danger to people - including two youth football teams on nearby playing fields - they were moved to safety.

"Fortunately, despite the owner of the house being very distressed - both for the bullock and their garden, the animal was given time to calm down," said the spokesman.

"Then, with the permission of the owner, three more bulls were brought into the garden and all the animals were gently herded onto a lorry."

A local vet with a tranquiliser gun and armed police officers were brought to the scene, but were not called upon to help.