Camels flee Vic circus

Three runaway camels have been captured at a Melbourne service station after they escaped from a circus.

The camels set off in search of greener pastures after absconding under the cloak of darkness.

Police spotted the fugitives munching on trees at a Narre Warren service station just before 4am (AEST) on Thursday.

Officers kept the trio cordoned off from the road until their owner arrived and returned them safe and well to the circus a little further down the road.