TWO heroic sisters rescued a sheep whose neck was caught in brambles.

Eleven-year-old Ophelia Mayor was walking home from school and found the stricken animal lying on a grazing site in Bodiam Avenue, Bevendean.

There was no one around who she could call for her help, but the youngster kept calm and used her ingenuity to save the sheep.

The Bevendean Primary School pupil said: “I was quite shocked when I saw the sheep lying there. There were loads of brambles around its neck.

“I thought it was dead at first but then it moved.

“I sat there and thought what I could do.

“There was no shepherd or vet, or anyone around I could go to for help.

“I thought about calling mum, but she was at work and it would take a while to get there.

“So I called my sister Clementine. She was at home and we don’t live far from the field.

“She came with a pair of scissors and gloves and we cut the sheep free.

“I was really worried about it, because it was really terrified and I was scared it could die from shock.

“When the sheep was free, I was really relieved. But I am still a bit worried that it could get caught again. It looked really clumsy to me.”

Ophelia and her sister comforted the sheep and helped it to stay calm while the girls carried out their rescue operation.

The Argus:

Clementine, 13, who is a student at Lewes Priory, said: “I came running with a pair of scissors and gloves and we cut away the brambles to rescue the sheep.

“It was quite small for a sheep, we thought it was probably a young one.

“It looked clumsy and we hope it doesn’t get caught in brambles again.”

Mum Tracy Mayor, 49, who works as a midwife, says she is extremely proud of her daughters.

She added: “Ophelia used her ingenuity to save the poor sheep.

“She deserves extra praise for staying calm when no one was around to help.

“Ophelia is very bright and practical and Clemmie responded very quickly. I am very proud of both of them.

“The girls love helping people and animals. They really love animals.”

Sometimes sheep do not stay put in one place and get themselves into trouble.

In 2017, at least 30 least sheep escaped from Stud Farm in Telscombe and spent the day roaming the streets, with some straying as far as the A259 South Coast Road.

Farmers explained a gate was broken and the sheep took the opportunity to have a day out. Residents helped gather the flock and returned them to the fields.