Coo blimey! Racing pigeon dropped by bird of prey - lands in zoo

'The Pit Man' is a "very lucky" racing pigeon who escaped the clutches of a buzzard Credit: Dartmoor Zoo

A racing pigeon that went missing five weeks ago plummeted from the sky straight into a zoo.

Known as 'The Pit Man', the pigeon was due to return to his owner in Abertillery weeks ago following a race 500 miles away in the South of France.

Meerkats at Dartmoor Zoo in Devon signalled the presence of a bird of prey in the sky. "Suddenly there was a commotion overhead," said zoo worker Justin Aird. "Moments later, the pigeon dropped out of the sky and landed nearby."

Zoo owner Colin Northcott with the lucky pigeon Credit: Dartmoor Zoo

The injured bird was taken in by the zoo and they contacted his owner Craig Dewar. "His perch in our loft has been empty for five weeks now. I was thrilled to hear that he’d been recovered," Mr Dewar said.

The bird has been assessed fit to travel soon - but won't have to fly the remaining 140 miles home. He's being sent by special courier.