A fox that got stuck in a stairwell after getting trapped has been rescued.

Volunteer for The Fox Project, Nicola Honey, was called to Mockett Court in Frederick Street, Sittingbourne, at lunchtime on Tuesday.

The animal, thought to be an adult male, had become trapped at the sheltered accommodation complex after scaling a wall but not being able to climb back out.

After trying to dig its way out, it got through a window into the main part of the Optivo-run housing block where it was found hiding under stairs.

Mrs Honey said: "The residents didn't want to go past it and it had had a go at a man with his dog.

"The warden at the sheltered accommodation phoned us to see if we could help.

"There was no way this fox could get out. I caught him and took him to the charity's base in Tunbridge Wells."

The animal was assessed overnight and released in the Sittingbourne area the following day.

Director of the charity's hospital unit, Sandra Reddy, said: "He was in shock and frightened of people but we couldn't find anything wrong with him.

"We kept him overnight and released him the next day.

"He was in really good condition, a fine adult fox and he appeared healthy. He was just caught out."

'There was no way this fox could get out' - Nicola Honey

An Optivo spokesman said: "A fox entered the grounds of Mockett Court in Frederick Street, Sittingbourne.

"It had somehow managed to get into an isolated communal area and couldn't get back out.

"We're investigating how this happened to ensure it doesn't happen again. A call was made to a rescue service who attended and helped to rescue the fox."

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