A joint effort between RSPCA officers and firefighters trained in animal rescues, saved a lamb that had fallen down a dry moat.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service and RSCPA staff were called to Hill Road, Borstal, Rochester on Saturday.

A walker raised the alarm after hearing the lamb bleating and saw it was trapped.

On arrival fire crews quickly got to work pitching extension ladders down the side of the moat in an attempt to rescue the animal.

Wearing safe access equipment, two members of Faversham’s Animal Rescue Unit made a controlled decent down the ladders, put the lamb in a special bag and then climbed back to the top of the moat.

Strood Station manager Phil Rice said:“The lamb was about 40ft down a steep drop.

"Although the lamb was a little distressed, amazingly it was not hurt.”

RSPCA animal collection officer Anthony Pulfer said: “Lambs are very curious and sometimes end up in trouble like this when they escape and get into difficulties.

"Luckily, this lamb was fine and we are pleased that we were able to work with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and their specialist animal rescue unit to get this lamb out safely.”

After being checked over the lamb was returned to its owner.