This is the hilarious moment a hapless father-in-law gets taken for a ride by an ostrich, which was meant to be a bizarre dream gift from his daughter's husband.

Footage recorded in Panjin, Liaoning Province, China, on November 11 begins as he takes delivery of the agitated bird from what appears to be a zoo.

As he walks it to a van with one hand clamped around its neck, the ostrich seems to sense a chance to escape and sprints off, sending its owner sprawling.

As he lands on the concrete, the dad-in-law is forced to let go, and the bird is only brought to a halt when someone else clamps a foot over a rope tied to one of its legs.

When filming resumes, the ostrich has been bundled into the back of a van, and the owner seems to have a splint and a bandage on his right index finger.

It later emerged that the bird had cost CNY 750 (around GBP 82).

The son-in-law, Mr Wu, said: 'I wanted to please my father-in-law, but I didn't expect an accident.

'Fortunately, he has a good physique.'

Ostriches are large, flightless birds known for their impressive running abilities. Armed with powerful legs, they are the fastest-running birds and can reach speeds of up to 45-50 miles per hour for short bursts.