A fox found itself in a tricky predicament when it became entangled in a tree.

The fiesty animal was left dangling upside down from the branches by his back legs, just a few inches above Hythe's Military Canal.

The RSPCA was called after the stricken mammal was spotted by concerned members of the public.

The charity's animal collection officer (ACO) Roy Jezard arrived on Monday to find the poor creature hanging with his nose almost touching the water.

Stumped as to how he was going to get across the canal to reach him, ACO Jezard approached some nearby council workers and asked if he could use the council’s boat.

Luckily one of the workers, Attila Desics, could actually drive the boat used to clear weeds from the canal, and volunteered to give ACO Jezard a lift.

ACO Jezard said: "I guess the fox had gone across the tree, not releasing the tree was actually hanging over the canal.

"He’d managed to get himself totally wedged by his back legs in the branches and as a result was just hanging down head first with his nose literally a few inches from the water. I am pretty certain if he’d have stuck his tongue out he could have had a drink from the canal.

"Luckily the employees from Shepway District Council were extremely helpful and were happy to get the boat, and take me across the canal so I could get close to the fox.

"Once we got near him I was able to get a grasper around his body and pull him onto the boat and pop him in a basket. By this point there was quite a crowd gathering so once I got him they all gave a cheer from the other side of the canal!

“This fox was an extremely feisty fella despite his ordeal. I checked him over and once he managed to get the circulation back into his legs I released him back to the wild.

“This was certainly one of the most unusual rescues I have done and I would like to thank the council for all their help regarding this rescue and also the members of the public who contacted us with their concern for this fox. It certainly wasn’t your normal start to a Monday morning!”

Councillor David Monk, leader of Shepway Council, said: “I am not surprised to hear that our staff acted so quickly to help the RSPCA. They often go the extra mile for our residents but not often by rescuing local foxes from trees! Well done to all involved.”

If you see an injured animal or an animal in distress, call the RSPCA's 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999, or go to the website for information and advice.