FIREFIGHTERS came to the rescue of a bird in distress after an eagle-eyed youngster raised the alarm.

A crew from Maiden Newton scaled a ladder to rescue a sparrow that was caught up in string.

A spokesman for the brigade said: "Out on a shout this evening to rescue a sparrow that had a length of string around its neck.

"It had returned to roost and was spotted by a local youngster. We used a nine metre ladder to bring it back to earth before cutting it free."