RSPCA specialist wildlife vet David Couper joined inspector Miranda Albinson and animal rescue officer Alison Sparkes to help when a red stag became entangled in electric fence tape around a horse paddock in Spaxton.

The stag – which had wire and tape tightly wound around his antlers, head and neck – was still mobile and running around when the team arrived to carry out the tricky release.

The animal rescuers were able to funnel him towards the stables and yard, giving Miranda the chance to carefully approach the deer.

She said: “The deer was extremely distressed and very lively, thrashing around trying to free himself. 

“He had the electric fencing tangled around his antlers and dragging from his head which was causing him to panic.

“Once he was sedated and calm, we were able to carefully and quickly remove the fencing before placing him in a safe area as we didn’t want him to panic and be in any danger once he started to rouse from the sedation.

“We monitored him from nearby and were able to see him regain consciousness and get back on his feet.

“It was a tough rescue but it’s always the best part of the job to see such a beautiful, powerful animal in the prime of his life finally free and released back into the wild.”

The RSPCA is often called out to rescue animals that have got trapped or tangled in netting and fencing. The charity urges people to pack netting away when not in use, and to ensure fencing is intact and regularly checked to ensure no wildlife has become tangled.

Information about the charity and how to help it continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate visit the RSPCA website or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.