A string of clues has led to the capture of a wild ‘Gruffalo' at Mount Maunganui Primary School.

Children filed out onto the school's field to witness the re-capture of the creature after it had escaped police custody early this morning.

See video below of the police capture of Gruffalo.

The event was part of a school project focusing on the theme ‘out of this world'.

Children were put to the test with a string of clues to help police locate the wild Gruffalo, found lurking in the Papamoa Hills.

Assistant principal Fran Allot says the children thought it was absolutely fantastic.