A rampaging bullock caused mid-morning mayhem in Ryedale today when it ran through Malton town centre past stunned motorists and shoppers.

The bullock, which escaped from Malton Livestock Market, ran down Yorkersgate, hitting and injuring an elderly man.

It then ran down Castlegate towards the railway station before running on to the tracks.

It then came away from the tracks and headed to the premises of the Kwik Save supermarket.

The injured man was taken to York District Hospital with head injuries.

Rail services through Malton were immediately stopped while police officers and firefighters attempted to coax the animal away from the railway line.

The drama came to an end just before midday when a police marksman shot the bullock dead.

Georgina Bough, who helps run Greens Furniture in Newgate, said the bullock almost hit her husband.

She said: "It ran from the market and went straight past him. It was very frightening because we didn't know what it was going to do next."

Passer-by Richard Wilson said: "I have worked with cattle for a large part of my life, and given that this sort of incident takes place here two or three times a year, I think it is about time some sort of co-ordinated mechanism was put in place for dealing with it.

"It is a miracle only one person has been injured."

A Railtrack Spokesperson said: "A section of track was closed earlier today after a bullock strayed onto the line. This was a decision taken by Railtrack in conjunction with the emergency services and was taken in the interests of public safety."