A man suspected of drink-driving who ran off when he crashed his car into a shop in Malmesbury was arrested after his escape was thwarted by an emu.

The suspect swerved into a shopfront on Gloucester  and landed at almost at 90 degrees to the road.

He then ran from the scene with a passenger and attempted to flee through fields, forests, gardens and allotments for around 15 minutes.

READ MORE: Arrest after car crashes into shop near Malmesbury Abbey

Locals say they ran out of town and into a farm which keeps exotic animals.

Dean Wade, executive chef of the nearby Old Bell Hotel, witnessed the incident. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Dean WadeDean Wade

READ MORE: New chef at Malmesbury's Old Bell Hotel

"There was this massive screeching and we saw a car careering left, right and centre and then it smashed into a building," he told the BBC.

"I thought it wasn't fair people could just walk away from that kind of incident, so I decided to follow them."

"One of them went into the field, and tried to be a bit aggressive towards the emus," he said.

"The emus were curious, which he didn't take to. Then he ran off.

"The police helicopter was out, and they picked him up."

A man has been arrested and released under investigation while inquiries continue. 

The story has since gone viral and Malmesbury Carnival organisers have announced there will be a 'best emu' prize in this year's procession.

The emu becomes the latest Malmesbury animal to gain recognition, following in the footsteps of the Tamworth Two.

The pigs ecaped from a lorry at an abbatoir and went on the run for more than a week in 1998. 

And last month the Old Bell Hotel opened their Tyger Bar, named in reference to the incident where a Malmesbury barmaid is believed to have been killed by a travelling circus tiger in 1703.

READ MORE: Hotel named best in Wiltshire a year after reopening