A business in Whitstable has been targeted by a thief – in the shape of a seagull.

CCTV cameras at the Invicta Gas showroom captured the wily bird walking around the shop in the Joseph Wilson Industrial Estate.

After spotting ornamental stones in an electric fireplace, it is seen picking them up in its beak before attempting to run away.

A customer eventually spotted the gull, and let it out.

Cara Sharkie, credit controller at the store, said: "The fireplace was on – luckily it wasn't a gas fire, or it could have been roasting.

"It's just a one-off. As far as we know we haven't had any more visitors since, of the bird variety."

The incident was caught on camera at 1pm on Tuesday, May 1.