Reindeer dash causes chaos in Carlton

Bjorn the reindeer is safe after making a bid for freedom from an event at a Tesco supermarket in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, in the UK.

Bjorn, nine-years-old, was caught on 'camera' by local man Warren Porter who at first glance thought a large dog was legging it up Carlton Hill. As Bjorn got closer to Mr Porter the poor man could not believe his eyes.

Warren now has his '15 minutes of fame' as the image goes viral.

Startled by a car horn reindeer Bjorn was able to slip the rope tethering him and scarper.

While the story may sound funny it is no joke for the animal. He was obviously scared and he or a passer-by could have been injured.

Perhaps next time Tesco will make do with a large toy reindeer or perhaps a robotic one.

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According to eyewitnesses reindeer Bjorn was nearly hit by a bus; that could have led to a very different story maybe including human casualties as well as Bjorn.

The event was being staged by the Animal Company; their director commented that Bjorn was captured within 10 minutes and that he is 'fine and 'resting'.

He praised the animal's trainers saying that their training had paid off and ensured that Bjorn was returned safe and sound quickly.

Another representative of Animal Company said reindeer are 'flight' animals by nature; she said they are fine in a pen but when 'free' of any tether run off.

The Nottingham Post has quite a few comments from locals including this from Gemma Green, who lives in nearby Hasting Street and saw the animal galloping past her house on Sunday afternoon.

"I was putting some Christmas cards up in the window and just saw it come charging down the street," she said. "Then I saw a group of people following it.  It was quite strange. It's like the scene from Arthur Christmas where Santa loses his reindeer. I thought I was seeing things at first. "My partner was out walking the dog and he had to move out the way because it came charging past him."

It all sounds a rather surreal experience.

According to BBC News "A Tesco spokesman said they are "pleased he was back in time to help Santa with some important deliveries this week" but that sounds more like a 'Scrooge# moment from the supermarket giant.