ANIMAL rescuers came to the aid of a deer that was desperately trying to free itself from barbed wire and twine.

Members of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service risked personal injury to help free the thrashing buck that had become deeply entwined on discarded baler twine and barbed wire.

Rescuers Trevor Weeks MBE, Kathy Martyn and Chris Riddington patiently freed the anxious animal in an operation lasting fifteen minutes in Hellingly on Sunday.

Fortunately the animal only suffered a few minor cuts and grazes and rescuers said they were “delighted” to see it run off across the fields and back home.

The rescue prompted the volunteers to issue a warning about discarding.

Mrs Martyn said: “Your heart really races when doing these rescues because you know you are causing stress to the deer and just want to get it cut free and released safely and as quickly as possible. The poor creatures obviously doesn’t realise we are trying to help it.”