'All's wool that ends wool': Lucky sheep stranded at bottom of deep drainage ditch is saved by mountain rescue

A stricken sheep was pulled to safety by mountain rescuers after it fell in a deep drainage ditch.

Specialists stepped in because members of the public were about to put themselves at risk by attempting to rescue the animal after it fell into the drain in Littleborough, Rochdale on Tuesday morning.

Mountain rescuers lowered themselves into the ditch to assess the sheep, before it was lifted to safety.

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It was then checked over by the RSPCA before being returned, unharmed, to its flock.

A spokesperson for Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, which carried out the rescue quipped 'all's wool that end's wool'.

They added: "Although this is not the average job that you would expect a mountain rescue team to attend, it became apparent that members of the public were going to attempt the rescue themselves without the proper equipment or training, so the decision was made to deploy the team to prevent unnecessary danger to the public.

"Upon arrival, a dynamic risk assessment was undertaken to ensure the safety of our volunteers and through consultation with an RSPCA officer, our casualty too.

"We used a rope system to access, assess and ultimately secure the sheep, for it to be raised out to safety.

"After further assessment by the farmer and RSPCA officer, the sheep returned home to its flock with a tale to tell."

RPMRT is a charity which relies on donations. To make a donation visit justgiving.com/RPMRT.

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