DEVON and Somerset Fire Service rescued a bull stuck in a rhyne in Wookey late last night after a farmer alerted them it was stuck.

The bull was shoulder deep in water when the fire crews arrived and weighed approximately 700 kilograms.

As well as one fire engine, a specialist rescue team and specialist officers, the fire service also utilised the telehandler from Exeter as the farmer had no heavy lifting machinery onsite.

A spokesperson from the Devon and Somerset Fire Service said: "On arrival of the first crew, the bull was confirmed to be shoulder deep and weighing approximately 700kg. The bull was not in distress and a plan was being formulated whilst awaiting the arrival of the SRT.

"One fire engine from Wells, the specialist rescue team from Bridgwater and specialist officers were mobilised to a call from a farmer that his bull was stuck in a rhyne and he now needed assistance to get it out.

"The telehandler from the Urban Search and Rescue team in Exeter was requested as the farmer had no heavy lifting machinery available."

The spokesperson said the animals wellbeing was of paramount importance.

"A vet was in attendance to help with ensuring the animal was in no harm and crews got to work attaching strops to the bull.

"The bull had to be sedated and crews were able to remove the bull from the drainage rhyne into an adjacent field using the telehandler.

"Fire crews then assisted the vet and owners to keep the bull stable and upright until they were able to leave the scene."