SHOP workers had to deal with an unusual four-legged intruder as they were getting ready to open for the day.

A deer wandered into the Wilkinson's store, in Castle Walk, Newcastle, and spent several minutes perusing the shelves before being ushered out by staff.

It was not known where the deer came from and there were several more sightings of the animal in various spots around Newcastle later in the morning.

Brett Werner, assistant manager at Wilkinson's, said: “The deer came in and wandered around for about 10 minutes at about 7am yesterday.

“It wasn't small, about five feet high, and it had antlers. It was slipping and sliding all over the floor. When we got it out of the store, it just ran up the street.”

The deer was later seen in Ryecroft, outside the Borough Arms Hotel, in King Street. It was reported to both the RSPCA and the police but the deer disappeared after being spotted in The Brampton at 2.15pm.

The nearest deer population is several miles away in Trentham Park.