An experiment in robotics took an unexpected turn on Wednesday - when one of the subjects escaped.

Gaak, one of 12 "free-thinking" robots from the Magna Science Centre's Living Robot shows, was discovered attempting to leave the centre's car park.

The creature had forced its way out of a paddock, travelled down an access slope and made its way outside through the front door.

Motorist Dan Lowthorpe, who nearly drove over the robot, said he was "surprised" to be greeted by Gaak as he arrived at Magna.

"I came here especially for the robots," he said. "I knew they interacted with each other, but I didn't expect to be personally greeted by one."

But the beings' creator, Professor Noel Sharkey, said South Yorkshire need not worry about a future robot uprising.

"Since the experiment went live in March, the robots have all learned a significant amount and are becoming more intelligent by the day," he said.

"However, although they can escape, they are perfectly harmless."