WILDLIFE volunteers came to the rescue of an injured badger on a disused railway line.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) came to the aid of the badger just north of the Tesco supermarket in Lewes.

A woman walking her dog spotted the lethargic badger curled up between two brick bridges off Old Malling Way.

Chris Riddington and Trevor Weeks, of WRAS, came to the rescue.

Mr Riddington said: “I couldn’t get a cage down the embankment safely so covered the badger with my jacket and kept it safe, whilst Trevor found a better location to park up and gain access with a cage.

“The badger was quite lethargic so I was able to pick him up without him struggling – I wouldn’t recommend people do this as badgers can cause serious injury – but luckily we are trained how to assess and handle them safely.”

The creature was taken for a vet’s examination and was judged to be in a fairly good condition, despite being disorientated and underweight.

Mr Weeks, WRAS founder, said: “There is a possibility the badger may have had a knock with a vehicle on Old Malling Way, but this is unclear. We hope his condition will improve and that we can take him back once fully recovered.”

For more information, visit www.wildlifeambulance.org.