Donkeys Heidi and Lucy caused quite a stir in Tauranga after deciding to escape their paddock and take their two sheep friends for a stroll.

Fortunately, locals nearby jumped at the opportunity to prevent their adventure from plummeting into chaos.

Through Neighbourhood Support, Bellevue residents were alerted by "neighbour number one", who had been asleep following a busy night shift at the hospital, but woke up to spot the escapees from her window.

She immediately ran, barefoot in her pyjamas out to the gate, to try to stop Lucy, Heidi and the two sheep from getting into the street. Unfortunately, she was too late - the wandering mates were on a mission.

She ran back inside to get shoes "and bra and jersey" so she could chase them properly, and alerted Neighbour two to phone the owners of the animals. Lucy, Heidi and the sheep continued their unplanned journey while neighbours number one and two continued to try unsuccessfully to connect with the owners.

Neighbour three was holding a birthday party for her son when a relative looked out the window to see donkeys and sheep browsing neighbourhood gardens. Mum and dad raced out the door and tried to herd them back.

In the meantime Neighbour number four was phoned to locate the strolling stock's owners and neighbours number one and three took up herding. Neighbour number four blocked off the main road to the west and was joined by Neighbour number five who happened to be walking along the road.

Neighbour number two continued phoning, and also videoed the neighbours running around "like, well, headless chickens".

They all eventually got them back through the gate, just as their owner came walking up their long drive to see what all the fuss was about.

Neighbourhood Support Street Coordinator Kathy Webb says Lucy and Heidi are well known to the wider neighbourhood, and live on a large lifestyle block in the area.

'They are delightful and fairly stubborn donkeys, and are sometimes walked around the neighbourhood by their owners for some weight reducing exercise. It's so nice to hear the gentle sound of the country in suburbia - chooks chatting, sheep baaing - although the donkey song is more like squeaky machinery.

'Our urban neighbourhood has a reasonable amount of traffic, so the dangers of donkeys and sheep running around is significant, not to mention the damage that could be done to property. The surprise factor alone could create a problem.

"Lucy, Heidi and the sheep are now safely locked in their paddock after their little adventure. A gate had been accidently left open and the curious quartet had taken their chance to see the world.

'Five neighbours had a short sharp exercise session, involving running, zig zagging, shouting and a lot of puffing,” Kathy says. 'It's great to know that we live in a neighbourhood that pulls together to help in times of need. Free avocados for all neighbours were delivered as thanks for rounding up the wanderers.”

To get to know your neighbours - herding stock not included - contact manager@wbopns.org.nz or go to the website www.wbopns.org.nz.