A DEER that got tangled up in fencing was cut free by rescuers.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service was called out yesterday to High Hurstwood, near Uckfield, after a resident found the deer with its antlers entangled in fence tape at a field entrance.

The deer was twisting and turning trying to get free and rescuers were worried it would cause itself serious injuries or even break its neck on the fence.

For rescuers Daryl Farmer from Forest Row, Chris Riddington from Eastbourne, and Trevor Weeks and Kathy Martyn, both from Uckfield, the location was awkward, making their job risky.

It took three attempts to secure the flailing deer but once down rescuers started cutting the antlers free.

Mr Weeks said the process had to take less than 30 minutes or the deer ran the risk of having a heart attack.

With Mr Weeks holding the rear legs and Mr Riddington pinning the deer's shoulders to the floor, Mr Farmer started cutting away the rope.

After a check-over the deer was allowed to jump up and sprint off across the field to safety.