Two fire crews raced to the aid of a cow trapped in a ditch, only for the animal to climb out on its own as soon as they arrived.

The emergency services were called when the distressed bovine was spotted in a track off Harley Shute Road in St Leonards at 6.45pm yesterday.

A fire engine from Hastings made its way to the scene and a special animal rescue unit was called from Crowborough.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the cow moved itself almost as soon as it saw the firefighters. A spokeswoman said: "Maybe it didn't like the look of them."