Normally reserved for catching motorists haring along in their cars, this speed camera turned up an interesting result for police in Meppen, Germany, when they examined their evidence at the end of the day.

The runaway nag had bolted from a nearby paddock and found his way onto the main road of the Lower Saxony town, dashing through traffic as drivers tried their best to get out of the way.

The horse was eventually accosted – but only after 20 minutes of freedom, and setting off the speed camera.

A police spokesman said: ‘The horse was galloping at full speed for several kilometers before it copuld be stopped, caught and led back home.

‘The image was taken by a camera set to take pictures of speeding motorists and people going over the red light.

‘It was actually a car driver that triggered the picture and the horse ended up being snapped in the same picture.’

The officer added that the driver who skipped the traffic signals had lodged an official complaint against the fine – saying he was distracted by the galloping gelding.

‘He claimed he was trying to get out of the way of a runaway horse,’ the spokesman added.

‘At least we know that part is true.’

A broken fence was cited as the cause of the escape. It has since been repaired.