A DEER has been saved after getting its antlers stuck in a barbed wire fence.

The fallow buck had nylon netting caught around its antlers which, then became tangled in the fence.

The distressed animal was found in a field off Stonehurst Lane in Hadlow Down, Uckfield, on Thursday.

It was struggling frantically before a team from the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) arrived.

The rescuers approached the deer and used a net to secure it before cutting the nylon out with scissors.

WRAS director Trevor Weeks said: “The deer was in an awkward position as it was stuck to a dilapidated fence.

“It made it difficult for me to have full control over the deer.

“It struggled several times and tried to kick itself free during the rescue.

“Seeing a deer struggling so much when you are trying to save it is hard to take because you just want to dive straight in. However, you need to assess the situation and prepare the nets to avoid any serious injuries.

“Despite some damage to the antlers, the injuries were not serious.

“It didn’t warrant us taking it into captivity which would have proved very stressful – so we agreed the deer should be released.”

Once it was safely released and checked, the deer ran off into woodland.

It is not known how the nylon netting became tangled around its antlers.

Mr Weeks said deer rescues in particular must be swift. He said: “Deer can only be secured and handled in such situations for up to 30 minutes before they run the risk of having a heart attack.

“We are very pleased to have helped the buck and released it back to freedom.

“It was a difficult rescue, but it returned to the wild and hopefully this won’t happen to it again.

“Because the deer kept moving, it was hard for us to hold it down.

“It was a tough job but the outcome was successful.”