FIREMEN fought for four hours to free a cow which was stuck in thick mud.

They used slings and a hose line to get the exhausted animal, which was pregnant, clear of the mud around a drainage ditch at Barry Wickington's Crow Holes Farm, Foxstones Lane, Cliviger.

But the cow became weaker and weaker as it tried to regain its feet.

Injections administered by a vet revived the cow but not sufficiently for it to get itself clear.

Eventually, it was rolled over on to a canvas sheet and pulled clear with the help of a Land Rover.

Station Officer Paul Harvey said: "It had been stuck for about two hours before we got there.

"The farmer had tried to get it free himself before calling us.

"When we got there, it was on its side in deep mud. The suction pulled off the lads' wellingtons when they went in to help the animal.

"It was in a difficult position, overhanging the ditch and altogether we were there for four hours before getting it to firmer land and leaving it in the hands of the vet and the farmer.''

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.