A VOLUNTEER from Secret World balanced on an inflatable dinghy in a freezing cold pond to save a seagull.

Kelvin Millis, a response driver for Secret World Wildlife Rescue, was called to a pond in Bridgwater on Sunday (January 20) to free the bird, which had become trapped on the icy water after swallowing a fishing hook.

Concerned resident Kevin Elsmore had alerted the East Huntspill rescue charity after noticing the bird on Saturday evening (January 19).

He told the Weekly News: “The fishing hook was attached to some branches overhanging the pond. The bird must have tried to eat the bait and became stuck.

“I had tried to wade out to free it using my chest waders and got rather wet and cold. The water was too deep so I called Secret World on Sunday – they came within 30 minutes.

“A kind neighbour, who had an inflatable dinghy at the ready, made the rescue possible. Well done to Kelvin. He made my weekend.”

The seagull, who had braved a night on the freezing water, was taken to Secret World and received treatment for a small injury on its shoulder before being released back into the wild today (January 21).