A young bullock stranded on the banks of the River Severn was saved by the Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue team.

The Upton-based team was carrying out a training exercise last Sunday (June 5) when the incident happened.

The bullock was stuck at the bottom of a very steep stretch of bank near Uckinghall and had attracted the attention of people on passing boats.

"We were out in two boats near Saxons Lode and saw some boats milling about near the bank," said Dave Walker, of the newly-formed search and rescue team.

"A bullock had got trapped on the side of the river and couldn't get back up the bank."

The four-man crew from one of the boats - Paul Jones, Robert Steadman, Dave Symcock and Carl Hooton - carried out the rescue.

Mr Walker said they managed to get the bullock back to its meadow further along the river, where the bank was less steep. He said it wasn't unusual for animals to get stuck in this way.

"They try to get down to the river to drink but the large stones near the water and the steepness of the bank makes it difficult for them to get back up," he said.

Mr Walker said his team had carried out similar rescues in the past.

n A lamb rescued from the banks the River Severn the previous week by Upton Rowing Club Women's Eight has been re-homed at the farm unit attached to the Downs School in Colwall.

The lamb, named Gerrard after football hero Stephen Gerrard, has fully recovered from its ordeal, according to The Avenue Veterinary Surgery, where it was taken for a check-up.