They say don’t work with live animals and now we know why. With supermarkets vying for our attention at this time of the year, it’s not surprising that they may decide to put on a bit of Christmas sparkle to attract people in the doors. Unfortunately for Tesco in Carlton, Nottingham, there was no way they could’ve predicted what happened next. A reindeer escaped from a festive themed event taking place in the store today – with the missing mammal causing traffic chaos as he ran out into the busy roads. It’s believed the animal was hired as part of an in-store event with Santa and his sleigh, but was startled by a car horn.

On the run! pic.twitter.com/EOz17Y6me4

— Dr Irfan Malik (@dr_irfanmalik) December 20, 2015

Speaking to The Mirror, onlooker Danny Hall said: "The reindeer was just being led out of its trailer when there was a loud 'beep' from a car horn which must have startled it. The poor thing looked really scared and just ran off. "It was almost hit by a bus. "I don't think people could believe their eyes when they saw a reindeer spiriting past them. It was completely bizarre, like something from a film." Unfortunately for Prancer’s great escape, he was recaptured in a local garden and returned safely to his animal shelter.

Naughty reindeer is safely back in Tesco #Nottingham. 'He was just looking for children's houses!' @Nottingham_Post pic.twitter.com/W6LbSlpS72 — Dr Irfan Malik (@dr_irfanmalik) December 20, 2015