FIREFIGHTERS came up with an improvised technique to rescue these ten cute ducklings in Taunton.

The baby birds were trapped in a a disused railway water tower reservoir at Firepool where they had hatched a couple of days earlier.

Safe afterr their rescue - the ten ducklings being cared for at Secret World

Safe afterr their rescue - the ten ducklings being cared for at Secret World

A distressed member of the public called Secret World Wildlife Rescue, who sent along a response diver when it became apparent the ducklings would not have been able to survive much longer.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

When he was unable to scoop the animals out of the putrid water, local firefighters were called into action on Monday.

Disturbed by seeing so many people, the mother duck flew off and abandoned her chicks.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

Perched perilously above the water, a firefighter, assisted by a colleague, lowered a net on the end of a long pole and ushered the ducklings into a corner before scooping them up to safety.

Charlotte Wroe, general support officer at Highbridge-based Secret World, said: "We are hugely grateful to Devon and Somerset Fire abd Rescue Service for the assistance given in this operation at the disused railway water tower reservoir.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

"The crew that attended expertly achieved what at first sight appeared to be an impossible task - certainly one that would have been an absolute non-starter for Secret World alone, being in such an inaccessible and treacherous location.

"The four officers involved applied inventive problem solving and great patience, finally saving all ten ducklings whose mother had got them into an unhealthy trap that would, without intervention, ultimately have been fatal.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

"The birds will now be cared for over several weeks until they are mature enough to be released."

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: