The fire brigade was called to a tall oak tree after a pest control hawk escaped and appeared to become stuck on its leash in the branches.

The Ashford firefighters flew to Washford Farm Road at 4.45pm yesterday after fears that the harris hawk was tangled by its metre-long leash.

When they arrived they found the bird was 25 metres up in the tree, and appeared to be trapped.

They put up the turntable ladder, but by the time they climbed up, the bird had freed itself and flown off.

A fire brigade spokesman said: “This was an unusual request. We know owners will put themselves in danger to free their animals. It is not unheard of that we then have to go in to rescue the owners."