How Eric the Emu turned out to be the full Monty

The owner of a 'missing' emu has been reunited with him Credit: RSPCA

It was a mystery that had gripped Newmarket since the weekend. Where did 'Eric' the Emu come from?

A startled homeowner found the bird wandering up the driveway of a farm at Kirtling.

The RSPCA were alerted and quickly word spread that a mystery Emu had been found. But who was the owner?

Champion jockey Frankie Dettori galloped across town to take a look thinking it might be his pet.

This time Frankie wasn't on to a winner saying 'Eric' wasn't his after all saying the mystery bird was too small.

So was the story going to have a happy ending? Yes it was! The RSPCA have confirmed that the emu's owner has come forward.

And it seems he isn't called 'Eric' his real name is Monty and he has a girlfriend called Mathilda who had been pining for him.

An RSPCA spokesman said:

Monty's owner, Anne-Marie Kirby, said she was relieved to have him back.