Thieves in Germany stole a circus van - without realising there was a lion asleep in the back.

They abandoned the vehicle after crashing into a road sign in the western city of Wuppertal, reports the BBC.

Police later had the van towed away to a depot - unaware that the five-year-old lion called Caesar was inside.

Caesar appeared unhurt when a lion tamer arrived to reclaim him after Circus Probst had reported the theft.

The thieves got away and may have been unaware of Caesar's presence, say officers.

A circus spokesman, Laurens Thoen, told German media that there was no indication on the van about its dangerous cargo.

Caesar is reported to be "fine" and is due to perform again with the circus in Krefeld.