A gull that spent a month recovering after getting tangled in a fishing line in Ashford has been set free.

RSPCA Inspector Dave Grant was called to Singleton Lake, on February 2 after the black headed gull was seen hanging from a tree in the middle of the lake.

Watch the moment he was released

He said: “I swam out to carefully untangle the bird and then swam him to shore where my colleague removed all of the line and boxed him up safely.”

Animal rescue officer Tina Nash, who went to assist, said: “Dave was a soggy hero! He even swam back into the middle of the lake to remove as much of the line as possible.”

The gull was then taken to the RSPCA’s Mallydams Woods Wildlife Centre, in East Sussex, where he was given x-rays and started his rehabilitation.

He was kept in for monitoring after displaying signs of a dropped wing but, after almost a month with the RSPCA, he was finally cleared for release.

Mallydams staff set him free yesterday at Pett Level in East Sussex.

The charity says it receives around 3,000 calls each year about animals affected by angling litter.

Incidents include birds swallowing fishing hooks and entanglements in fishing lines, which often lead to death.

Water birds are more likely to be affected with the highest numbers of calls outs being for swans, followed by geese, ducks and gulls.

The majority of anglers do dispose of their litter properly but those who enjoy fishing are being reminded by the charity of the dangers discarded equipment can pose to wildlife.

They are being encouraged to follow the Angling Trust’s Take 5 campaign which makes use of the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme designed to get people to dispose of their waste tackle and line.

If you come across an animal that has been injured or become tangled in fishing litter, contact the RSPCA’s emergency hotline on 0300 1234 999.