AN EXOTIC creature which had hit the headlines this year after escaping has grabbed the limelight again - this time at Henley Regatta.

A capybara, a South American animal known as the world's largest rodent, was spotted at various locations around Marlow, including Hambleden lock after escaping in May.

The animal, owned by the McAplines of the Fawley Hill estate, between Marlow and Henley, was recaptured last month. But it has now escaped again.

Rachael Crockford, 22, a student from Cambridge, was among amazed onlookers at Henley Regatta on Saturday afternoon when they saw it scampering along the river bank.

She said: "Everyone was saying 'what on earth is it?' It kicked up a massive fuss. There was loads of people across the bank looking at it.

"It looked like the size of a dog but clearly wasn't, it also looked like a beaver."

She discovered what it was after finding the previous Bucks Free Press online article.

"It certainly was an attraction for Henley Regatta for a while," she said.

"It was the fact that it appeared at one of the busiest events in Henley as another spectator just casually rocking up on the bank which was amusing."

Rachael's boyfriend Benjamin Hunter, a rowing coach, captured this picture of the creature.

Meanwhile, there were 21 arrests and more than 100 banning orders were handed out during the five day regatta.

There were 21 arrests on Saturday, with complete figures not yet available, Thames Valley Police said. 52 of the Section 27 notices, given due to behaviour, were handed out on Saturday night.

Offenders are prohibited from returning to the area for up to 48 hours or face arrest.