What do you get when you cross a runaway bull with a vicar and several burly police officers? Answer - chaos!

The fugitive beast was first spotted taking a stroll along the A127 but evaded capture as police officers gave chase.

He was later spotted having a spot of supper on a grass verge by the A130, about half a mile down the road on the Chelmsford side of Sadlers Farm roundabout - oblivious to the traffic building up behind him.

Thankfully, help arrived in the form of divine intervention.

Rev Anthony Rose, vicar at St George's Church, in Rushbottom Lane, caught up with the bull in Benfleet's Overton Road.

Mr Rose had been taking an evening stroll when he saw the bull also meandering down the road in the dark.

He said: "I was a bit nervous but the bull seemed quite calm and I was trying very hard not to frighten it.

"I enlisted the help of a passer-by to contact the police and we remained with the bull until the officers arrived."

Police - with help from passers-by - tried to corral the beast with rope but failed to bring him to heel and he escaped into the undergrowth.

Eventually the determined herders managed to corner the runaway in a garden in Benfleet's Downer Road North.

Fortunately the property had a gate which could be made secure. Police were able to lock the bull in until his owner came to collect him.

By Isabel Gompertz

Reporter's e-mail: isabel.gompertz@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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