A deer appears to be enjoying a wild day out in Manchester city centre .
The animal was first spotted swimming alongside the ducks in the canal near Castlefield earlier this afternoon.
Police were called but it appears to have managed to get out of the water and then run off again.
Officers confirmed the incident on their Facebook page, revealing that the deer was last seen heading for the Palace Theatre.
Dozens of city centre dwellers later took to Twitter to report sightings, particularly on Oxford Road .
"An actual deer just ran past my bus on oxford road w t a f," wrote one.
"Oxford road is actually the weirdest place, just seen a deer full on running down the bike lane," added another.
Another wrote: "did anyone else just see a deer run down Oxford Road or are exams RLLY making me book out??"
Neighbour from hell repeatedly blasted The Addams Family theme at couple next door in 'relentless' five-year feudAnd another added: "Just looked out the uni windows and saw a deer legging it down Oxford Road. Where the heck would that have come from!?!??!"
Other sightings suggested the deer has made it all the way to Platt Fields Park.
The Greater Manchester Police city centre team wrote: "We currently have a deer running around the City Centre.
"The deer was first seen in the canal near Castlefield. CCTV asked for a description of the animal, "erm its brown and a deer" was the officers reply."
"Last seen heading towards the Palace theatre, officers have no eye-deer where its heading. Unconfirmed reports its suffering the ill-effects of the morning after a wild stag do in the City - PCSO C"
It is understood the RSPCA have been called about the incident.
UPDATE - Police later posted a picture of their last sighting of the deer.
"The deer was last sighted heading into Whitworth Park, hopefully the RSPCA can catch up with it. This photo was taken by a PCSO in the City."
An RSPCA spokesperson added: "We received a report from the police that a medium-sized female deer was in the canal in Manchester city centre this afternoon but it managed to get out.
"We were then told the deer was stranded on some land near the canal but it again managed to get free and ran away before our officers could attend.
"We do see deer in Manchester city centre, they usually live in large park areas but will follow canal paths and tram lines to make their way in and out of the city.
"Although deer traditionally live in forests, moors and parkland, they are becoming more common in urban environments across the UK, for example they have been seen in gardens, golf courses, roads and railway lines."
Did you take any pictures or video of the deer? Email newsdesk@men-news.co.uk
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