An emu found by the RSPCA near Newmarket, sparked a frantic search by jockey Frankie Dettori at his home over the weekend.

The exotic bird, nicknamed Eric, is believed to have escaped, and the charity is attempting to return him to his owners if they can be traced.

He was discovered by a member of the public on The Street in Kirtling on Saturday evening, and was kept in their stable overnight.

The bird is now in RSPCA care and appears to be in good health.

Dettori, who lives in Newmarket, has an emu of his own at his property.

A spokeswoman at the home of the Italian jockey said they thought it was his emu that was missing.

She said: “There can’t be that many emus around here and thought it must be ours.

“Frankie careered over there with a horsebox to take it back, but it was not our emu – ours was safely tucked up at home.

“We don’t know whose emu it is.

“It is a lot smaller than ours, that’s how he knew, ours is quite big now.”

RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Jane Folly said: “This must have been quite an unexpected sight for the member of the public - not the sort of animal they normally see walking up their driveway.

“Birds this large can be difficult to catch so we were lucky in this case that he could be secured in the stable. The fact that he is this tame makes me think he is very likely to be someone’s missing pet.

“We urge anyone who knows where he may have come from to call us on 03001238018.

“We would love to take Eric back home.”