PICTURED: Two Emus rescued from back garden in Bean

The flightless birds - native to Australia and close relatives of the ostrich - were raised in a chicken pen after they were acquired while still eggs.

However one-year-old female Zala, and Moo, a three-year-old male, quickly grew too big for their owners to look after them, so contacted Second Chance Animal Rescue, based in Crockenhill Road, Swanley.

The pair have been in the care of the rescue centre for five months and, despite being found "stressed" and in poor conditions, are said to be doing much better.

Photo: Grant Falvey/dimensionphotos.com

Founder John Granger told News Shopper: "We got a call from somewhere - they had hatched some eggs in the garden and obviously the emus have grown and grown and grown.

"We went and had a look at them - they were being kept in a 50 foot by 50 foot pen with chickens so obviously the conditions weren't great.

"It wasn't ideal - they were stressed from being kept in a small enclosure.

"The female, she had lost a lot of feathers from walking up and down rubbing against the fence.

"They're doing much better now."

Photo: Grant Falvey/dimensionphotos.com

Second Chance Animal Rescue, founded in 2011, looks after around 450 animals, including sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, pigs, guinea pigs, chinchillas, terrapins and snakes.

They are often stray or unwanted, and can be difficult to rehome.

The centre frequently receives visits from school groups and takes animals to schools, institutions and community events.

Photo: Grant Falvey/dimensionphotos.com

Trustee Muriel Simmons: "It has really grown, it has been around for four or five years, it has grown to a very substantial number, 300 animals who could never be rehomed, they have so many problems.

"A lot of people visit the centre, groups with special needs. Working with and petting the animals, it is very therapeutic for them.

"For a lot of people they thoroughly enjoy it."