The Winmarleigh wallaby: Police investigate sighting of mystery marsupial in small Lancashire town

It's not the usual form of wildlife you'd expect to spot on a carriageway in north-west Lancashire.

But police have been left puzzled after this mystery marsupial was seen crossing a road near Garstang over the weekend.

The 'Winmarleigh Wallaby' had been reported in the small town north of Preston, but Lancashire Police were initially skeptical about the sighting.

However, Lancashire Police's Dave Kerfoot said the force acknowledged the escaped wallaby after it was caught on camera.

Mr Kerfoot said police are now investigating where the animal was from and to whom it belongs.

The sighting has reignited talk in Lancashire of wild animals on the prowl, following the alleged sighting of the 'Pilling Panther' in a small village west of Winmarleigh.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said the wallaby has been on the loose around Garstang for 'the last couple of weeks'.

It is though the marsupial escaped from a local farm, and police have urged people to stay from it if spotted.