A seagull that became ensnared on bird spikes on a supermarket roof was rescued by firefighters.

The black-backed gull is believed to have been dangling by its wing from the roof of Morrisons in College Walk, Margate, for several hours before it could be saved.

Photos taken on Sunday morning capture the moment the distressed bird was carefully carried to safety.

Sheila Stone, a volunteer at Kent Wildlife Rescue Service (KWRS), was sent to help the gull at about 11.45am.

"I could see immediately that I couldn't get it," she explained. "It was hanging from its wing from the bird spikes on the roof.

"So I called the fire brigade.

"They brought an engine round with ladders on, put the ladders up and rescued it.

"They caged it for me, and I took it and passed it to another KWRS volunteer at Sheppey. They're caring for it in rehab at the moment.

"They gave it pain relief and strapped the wing."

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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