LARGE birds are running loose in countryside north of Winchester.

Residents in South Wonston have warned people after the large birds got out of their pen.

It is believed they were being acquired by a local man who runs a hobby farm.

Hampshire Police issued an alert on Friday at around 4pm, advising four of the birds, which are large, flightless birds with a grey-brown plumage, had escaped.

In the alert PSCO Amey Stevens said: “Please be on the look-out and phone 101 if you see any of them.”

Similar to an ostrich, large males can reach 170cm in heights and weigh up to 40kg.

Native to South America, they can reach speeds of up to 40mph, and have been known to attack humans.