Wallaby loose in English outback after giving police the hop

Public warned not to approach “strong and powerful” animal last seen heading for woodland

A picture of the wanted wallaby on the loose in Dursley, Gloucestershire, released by police (PA)

A wily wallaby is loose in the English outback after giving police the hop.

Officers cornered the Australian marsupial after it was spotted in the small town of Dursley, Gloucestershire, on Saturday night.

But the crafty creature – at first mistaken for a kangaroo - somehow evaded capture and bounced off towards woodland around the nearby village of Woodmancote.

Police, who covered the bizarre chase in a series of tongue-in-cheek Facebook postings, have warned the public not to approach the ‘strong and powerful’ animal.

Have you seen this wallaby? Getty (Getty)

On its Facebook page, Gloucestershire Police posted: "Bit of an unusual one. If anyone has lost a kangaroo in the Dursley area please contact us on 101 and quote incident 462. We have found one."

Then, shortly afterwards: "Kangaroo update - we have it cornered 'outback' of a house in Woodmancote but no owner identified yet."

And finally: "Not the usual bouncers that we're interacting with on a Saturday night."

Not the usual bouncers that we're interacting with on a Saturday night

Posted by Gloucestershire Constabulary on Saturday, 26 September 2015

A group of wallabies is kept at Woodchester - about eight miles from Dursley - and some have been seen bouncing around the village over the past five years.

Other sightings have been made in Nailsworth, but it is not known whether the latest sighting is of an animal belonging to this mob or from somewhere else.

A police spokeswoman said: "Officers were called at around 9.30pm last night when a member of the public reported seeing the animal.

"Officers joined in the hunt and the animal was seen on the Uley Road and in gardens in Blackhills and Stanthill Drive.

"It's now gone to ground, possibly in wooded area in Woodmancote and police are appealing for the owners to come forward.

"The animal may be distressed and they are strong and powerful animals so members of the public are advised not to approach it.”