A man out for a Sunday stroll with his two dogs suddenly found himself being chased by a 6ft bird, thought to be an ostrich.

Darren Jenner was walking his two labradoodles in a field behind Iwade at around 2pm today when he was forced to flee from the flightless animal.

The 51-year-old, from Strood, who could clearly see the funny side of his encounter, said: "I was just walking the dogs, as you do, and just out of the corner of my eye I could see something.

"As I got closer I thought: 'That's a long neck'.

"When I got up to it I thought it would see me and just run away, but it didn't, instead it chased me down the path."

Mr Jenner dodged stinging nettles and even contemplated jumping a fence during the chase but luckily the feathery pursuer gave up and turned away into a field.

Mr Jenner, who was in the village visiting his girlfriend, said: "It got right up within 3ft of me. I had my dog lead in my hand ready but fortunately I didn't have to use it. It was a bit scary."

He added: "It's not something you expect to happen on a quiet Sunday afternoon."

It's not known where the animal came from and after Mr Jenner posted pictures online of his encounter it has led to speculation as to exactly which species it is.

Some are saying it is an ostrich, others are saying emu while more still are claiming it's a rhea.

It is believed the bird is the same one that was spotted in the same area in May.

• Do you know where the giant bird came from? Email sittingbourne@thekmgroup.co.uk