The RSPCA received a very special delivery when a stranded puffin was found on a pavement outside a Post Office in Strood.

The forlorn-looking bird was spotted by a man in town and taken to a vet before being transferred to an RSPCA wildlife centre in Hastings.

The puffin - nicknamed Pat after the world's favourite postman - has been nursed back to health and is set to be released into the wild today.

Bel Deering, manager of RSPCA Mallydams Woods, said: "It was found on the pavement outside a post office, an unusual habitat for a puffin.

"As puffins are normally found further north than Medway, Pat is an exceptional admission for us and has raised a lot of interest among staff and volunteers."

Pat was given a full veterinary check-up, including an x-ray, but no injuries were found.

Staff at Mallydams gave the puffin first class care, including a diet of fresh sand eels and sprats and dips in its own private pool.

Bel added: "It looked rather weak and wobbly when it came in but has really perked up. It is now out on a shallow pool so that we can check its buoyancy and make sure it's waterproof and it seems very happy.

"It's a bit of a mystery how it ended up in sickly and stranded in Strood but it appears to be much better now.

"We are delighted to be able to release it back into the wild."

Pat is due to be released on a beach close to Mallydams on the high tide this afternoon.