A £2,500 zebra sculpture stolen from Southampton appears to have been recovered from a house in the city.

Eagle-eyed resident Dave Patrick spotted the Zany Zebra being put onto a flatbed truck in Shirley at 7pm last night.

The creature, named Gilbert, is one of 150 colourful pieces being displayed across Southampton by Marwell Zoo.

The zoo announced its discovery an hour-and-a-half after the sighting.

Mr Patrick said: "We just left our flat and as we got to the end of our close, we see the police putting the missing Marwell Zebra onto a tow truck! This was at the end of Vinery Road in Shirley, possibly the most random thing to see on the way to [see comedian]Sean Lock tonight."

"All seem to be in good spirits - glad he has been found!"

Hampshire Constabulary was unavailable for comment last night.