Pepper had a lot of attention from officers at Margate police station

A former Royal Marine commando put his military training to use as police were called to deal with a large black pig running amok in a Kent seaside town.

Pc Chris Wiltshire was among officers sent to Cliftonvillle, Margate, on Friday night where the animal was running around the Bath Road area.

They gave chase and PC Wiltshire managed to corner it in an alleyway.

"He reported to me afterwards that he always had a way with animals," said Insp Simons Collins.

"It is quite a large pig and, although it was not aggressive, a number of the younger officers were quite daunted."

The pig, called Pepper, was taken to Margate police station and housed in a police kennel until its owners came forward on Saturday morning.

"It appears someone broke into a shed where Pepper and a pet rabbit sleep at night," said Insp Collins.

"They propped open the gate and let the pig escape."

The six-month-old Berkshire pig was returned to its home in Ethelbert Road but Insp Collins said it had been quite happy while it was bedded down under a police blanket.

"It was the subject of some attention - all the early shift patrols have been over to have a look at it."