RUSH hour commuters were left in a real flap after a rhea-peat offender did another disappearing act and wandered onto the A12

The stunned motorists were left rubbing their eyes in disbelief when they spotted the flightless bird - usually more at home in South America than in north Colchester - in their rhea-view mirrors as they drove past the JobServe Community Stadium.

It was originally thought the long-necked interloper may have been an ostrich.

But it was quickly confirmed as a rhea who lives at a private house in Great Horkesley.

The bird - who is called Colin - has form for escaping and was subject to an appeal from the RSPCA in November after he bolted from his home.

A rhea-scue team followed him onto the trunk road and were filmed herding him up a grassy bank and to safety.

He was later helped back to his home by officers from Essex Police.

It is believe he bolted from his pen after a gate was left open and has now been padlocked and secured.

His owner Debbie Johnson, who keeps a number of feathered friends at her house, including Colin’s companion Roger, apologised on his behalf for any dis-rhea-uption he may have inadvertently caused.

Correcting people who thought it was an ostrich, she said: “Yes, it’s a Rhea and it is Colin the same one as last year.

“He’s home safe now and very sorry for causing chaos again.”

PC James Ireland from the Roads Policing Unit based in Stanway was part of the team who helped Colin get back home.

He said: “This cheeky chap went from a wander up the A12 with help from Sgt Andrews and PC Hercules he is now safely back home.

“Our job is not all crashes and fines.”

Last November, the wanderh-eaing bird found a ditch and a gap in the fence.

But his attempt to fly the nest was foiled when he got stuck in a hedge.

Unable to free him before night fell, his owners returned home but when they went back the next day he was gone.

Sightings of him were reported but the trail went cold until he turned up in a nearby garden where he made himself at home.

The RSPCA were called and transported him to Colchester Zoo before Mrs Johnson picked him up.

And that was not the first time he had hit the headlines. When he was with previous owners he was seen running down the A133 in Elmstead Market.