A persistent pigeon spent the evening in a Chippenham supermarket swooping from counter to counter.

The pigeon wandered into Somerfield in the Emery Gate shopping centre much to the surprise of staff and shoppers alike.

It perched above the meat aisle for more than half an hour before hopping across to the fruit and vegetable aisle and bakery.

Staff tried to shoo the bird away and even managed to get it out of the back door but the determined bird returned.

Some shoppers were horrified to see it sitting above the meat fridges in the interests of hygiene.

Others took a more light hearted approach, stating it looks happy enough'.

Paul Smith, 29, of Chippenham, said: "You don't really expect to go into the supermarket and see a pigeon flying about."

A spokesman for Somerfield said: "It's an occasional problem that we and most large stores encounter, exaggerated by the terrible weather.

"We had all the staff trying to shoo the bird out of the store but as soon as it got to the door it would come back.

"We were confident there was no risk to customers and, once the store was closed, staff all helped shoo the bird away."