Three women, one handbag, and some surprised screams were not enough to scare-off infamous, feathered Iwade resident Jimmy.

The emu, which stalks the fields around the village, shocked three walkers taking a stroll in the sunshine.

Faith Walter set off with her friend Beverly Savage and her daughter, Chloe, 15, from the The Woolpack pub, The Street, Iwade, at around 3pm on Friday.

But the trio had barely walked 10 minutes when across the lush, green landscape they spotted Jimmy.

Mrs Walter, of Trinity Road, Milton Regis, said: “He was right at the other end of the field, so we didn’t think we needed to worry.

“But then suddenly he was right there - we weren’t sure if he wanted to kill us or mate with us. We were screaming and Beverly was shooing him with her handbag.”

Luckily, the ladies managed to make a quick dash and get away from Jimmy, who is believed to live nearby on Raspberry Hill Farm.

Mrs Walter added: “Next time I’ll take crisps to feed him - that’ll keep him happy.”