RSPCA inspector Ian Jackson literally swung into action yesterday when he was forced to abseil down a disused quarry to rescue a trapped sheep.
The sheep had slipped 70ft down the quarry at Bollihope, near Frosterley, in the Wear Valley, and had been stranded on a ledge for four days.
Ian, and colleagues Graeme Foggin and Kevin Foy, were called out to rescue the animal after it was spotted by passing walkers and a local farmer.
Said Ian: "We tried at first to persuade it to come off the ledge but it wouldn't. I abseiled about 70ft down to the ledge, fastened the sheep into a harness and lowered it another 20ft to safety.
"We released it unhurt and it went off to munch grass - without even a thank you!
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