Stranded Squirrel: Firefighters To The Rescue

At least five firefighters ended up saving the day for a grey squirrel that found itself stuck in a pond.

The soaking squirrel became stranded on an island of reeds in the pond in Watford town centre in Hertfordshire.

The fire service said it would have left the rescue to the RSPCA, but they had been told people needed help too.

"The first call we received about this indicated that people were in the water," a Hertfordshire Fire And Rescue Service spokesperson said.

"The Fire and Rescue Service was concerned about their safety so sent the necessary crews to assist with what we understood to be a water rescue."

But when the three fire engine crews turned up to the scene, it became clear no-one was in the pond - except the waterlogged rodent.

A specialist water crew, which has five firefighters, stuck around to carry out the rescue.

A spokesperson said it took about 15 minutes to retrieve the squirrel, which scurried off as soon as it was back on dry land.