It may have been the thought of being turned into a kebab.

Or perhaps it was because it was a nice sunny day.

Whatever it was, something in the morning air made Ewe-dini the sheep escape from her pen yesterday and lead six police officers, four supermarket staff, two factory workers, a security guard and a photographer on a wild goose chase across Brighton.

In scenes reminiscent of a Benny Hill sketch, the plucky sheep led her pursuers on a merry dance for more than two hours across four miles of the city before finally being caught in a garden.

The sheep's tale started at 7am yesterday morning in a field about a mile north of Hollingbury. Ewe-dini, named by onlookers after legendary escapologist Harry Houdini, slipped from her pen and wandered along a mile-long stretch of the busy A27.

Startled motorists began ringing police as the nonchalant animal stepped on to the westbound carriageway, apparently oblivious to danger.

By now police were already on Ewe-dini's trail with a number of patrols diverted to try to rescue her and prevent a rush hour pile-up. Unscathed and still yearning for adventure, the sheep then sauntered south towards the bright lights of Asda in Hollingbury.

Perhaps it was the thought of some tasty vegetables from the supermarket or the lure of a copy of The Argus in the newspaper rack, but Ewe-dini's shopping trip was her downfall. As she trotted past Sussex House, which contains the police cells for Brighton and Hove, even more officers joined the chase, plus Asda staff and a security guard from The Argus.

The net was tightening but Ewe-dini still had a few tricks up her woolly jumper to prolong the exciting adventure.

The sheep gave pursuers the slip around the back of Matalan before trotting off down Carden Avenue towards the city centre.

Half an hour later, after ploughing through several gardens and some woodland, Ewe-dini was finally cornered in Peacock Lane. By coincidence, animal behaviourist Tanya Jeffery was on hand to calm Ewe-dini down as she munched on somebody's lawn.

Police then pounced and carefully put her in the back of Mrs Jeffery's car, who reunited the sheep with the farmer.

Mrs Jeffery said: "It was a big chase and it made me late for work. I managed to put a blanket over her head to calm her down and luckily got her in the back of the car."

Sussex Police said Ewe-dini's owner was located because of a stamp on the animal's hide. The sheepish looking farmer picked Ewe-dini up from Sussex House.

A police spokesman said: "The sheep led everyone a bit of a merry dance."