FIREFIGHTERS have come to the rescue of a heron which had broken its wing and become trapped by wire in a river in County Durham.

The bird was spotted in the River Wear in Chester-le-Street yesterday morning.

Firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s water rescue team attended to help the bird, alongside a crew from the station in High Handenhold and officers from the RSPCA.

The heron had a broken wing and was caught on some wire.

A spokesperson from the fire service said: “Luckily it was safely rescued and the wire removed.”