A herd of cows caused  chaos when they went for a wander in Weymouth.

The cows - estimated to be around 25 adults and calves - got out of their field and managed to navigate a busy road, cycle path and car park before they were rounded up and taken home.

Photographer Stephen Baker got these pictures of the drama.

He said: "About 25 cattle including calves were seen to be making their way down the cycle path that runs alongside the Rugby Club behind Monmouth Avenue.

"They congregated in the Rugby Club car park, before being moved on by the owners who lead them south down the cycle path at the back of Symonds Close and through the bird reserve to a gate that leads up towards Teddy Bear woods, where they were herded back towards the Lorton area."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 6.17pm to reports of 20 to 30 cows and calves on the road near the park and ride towards Sainsburys on Mercery Road. 

"The report we had was that the cows had gone through the under pass and were heading towards the relief road.

"People were trying to stop cows heading towards the main road.

"The cows were then reported on the fields of Weymouth Rugby Club and no longer in the road.

"The farmer was called and arrived just before 7pm.

"Officers were helping the farmer get the cows back in the field and they were there by 8pm.

"We were called because of concern that they would cause a hazard in the road."

A spokesman from the Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT), who own Lorton Meadows, said: “Lots of people are enjoying Lorton Meadows at this time of year, but DWT asks the public to remember to close gates behind them when they’re walking, so that cattle cannot escape, which has happened on this occasion.”