A leopard caused panic in a residential area of Delhi as it strolled through two houses and settled down in a bathtub before being captured by zoo officials.

The alarm was raised when a woman found the big cat sitting on her doorstep when she went to switch off the light.

She bolted back indoors and alerted her husband and neighbours, some of whom rushed out with guns.

A nearby couple went outside to investigate and were astonished to see the creature walk quietly into their living room.

When the seven-member team from Delhi Zoo, led by Zoo director Mr B R Sharma arrived, they found the 100kg cat stretched out in the bathtub.

The officials secured the area, placed a cage in front of the bathroom door, and shot a tranquilliser dart into the creature through a ventilator.

They said the leopard appeared to have hitched a ride into town on the back of a truck and was looking for a safe place to hide.

The five-year old male will become a member of the Delhi Zoo