Seagull rescued from building opposite Brighton Pier

The bird was spotted by passers by, trapped five storeys up on the side of the building on Brighton’s Grand Junction Road.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, with support from Sussex Police, and the RSPCA animal welfare charity, attended the scene while Sussex Police closed the busy seafront road on 30 September to allow crews to reach the gull safely.

The RSPCA praised the efforts of the emergency services who helped to save the bird.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Chloe Wilson said: "It was quite a dramatic rescue - the gull was tangled tightly in the netting, flapping to try and free himself, and hanging several storeys up, directly opposite the pier.

"Firefighters did a brilliant job cutting him free as best they could, and once he was down I removed the remaining netting and gave him a full check over.

"He was understandably tired but otherwise in good condition, so I took him home overnight to monitor him.

"After a good night’s rest he was super feisty and bright, so I took him back down to the beach to release him back into the wild."

The rescue attracted around 100 onlookers, who stopped to watch as emergency crews worked to free the bird.

Following the rescue, Ms Wilson added: "The incident shows just how dangerous loose or poorly maintained netting can be for wildlife.

"We’d always urge building owners to regularly check any netting designed to deter birds, to make sure it’s properly fitted and not posing a risk of entanglement. We’d rather see gulls soaring than snared."

Passers by spotted the struggling bird caught high up on the side of a building on Brighton’s Grand Junction Road and raised the alarm. (Image: RSPCA)

The RSPCA said its frontline rescuers are currently doing all they can to help animals experiencing the very worst cruelty and neglect - including those who have tragically been left to fend for themselves - while their animal centres are finding new homes for countless rescued animals each year.

Sadly, incidents of animal abandonment reported to the RSPCA are on course to be at a six-year high.

For advice and information on how to help wildlife, visit the RSPCA website.