Motorists watched with disbelief this morning as a reindeer pranced across a busy carriageway.

The animal was spotted on the loose in Loose village, Maidstone, at around 8am after escaping from a nearby paddock the day before.

With snow forecast for later today, it's possible the creature thought it was that time of year again to pull Santa's sleigh.

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Instructors at Kent Fire and Rescue Service tried to coax the reindeer with a carrot and rope after it strutted past the crew's base in Loose Road but it wasn't ready to return home.

Other witnesses attempted to attract the animal to safety by using an unconventional treat of pasta.

Kent Police arrived and cornered the runaway in a garden until a vet arrived and sedated it.

The reindeer's owners were called and came to collect the creature.

Video: The reindeer on the loose in Loose

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