A pigeon which was hanging upside down had to be cut free by an RSPCA officer after getting tangled in a tree with a fishing line.

The RSPCA were called to Daven Road, Congleton, on Saturday (20th June) after a woman who was jogging by on the Macclesfield Canal noticed the bird in some distress.

Caroline Constable, who is training for a 156-mile race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco was halfway through a 34-mile jaunt when she noticed that the bird was precariously hanging out of a tree along the canal.

The 51-year-old, who was carrying a big backpack and a number of water bottles as part of her training, told Nub News that she was frantically pacing up and down the canal as she tried to call anyone who could help save the bird's life.

Caroline said: "I spent an hour trying to help, I couldn't get through to the RSPCA at first, so I tried calling the police, fire rescue and a number of tree surgeons.

"I couldn't have just moved on; the bird would have died a slow death and I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I knew I had done nothing."

An RSPCA spokesperson told Nub News: "We were called to reports of a wood pigeon hanging upside down after it appeared to be tangled in a tree with fishing line on Saturday (20 June).

"Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Emma Dwan rushed to the scene, in Daven Road, Congleton, and could see the bird had the line caught around one leg and around a branch.

"It was about four metres up in the tree which hung over the canal and was unable to free itself.

"Using a specialist pole, animal rescuer Emma was able to cut the bird free and thankfully it flew off uninjured."

Emma said: "This is a reminder of how damaging discarded fishing litter can be for wildlife. The majority of anglers do dispose of their litter properly and it is frustrating that those who don't, possibly don't realise how dangerous it is to animals.

"Discarded line in particular is a terrible hazard for wildlife, particularly as it can be almost invisible.

"We urge all anglers to take home any litter after fishing - as discarded lines and hooks can easily snag water birds and other wildlife, causing terrible injuries, suffering that can lead to animals dying. All it takes is a little thought and care."

In the hope of preventing future casualties, those who enjoy fishing are being reminded of the dangers that are posed to wildlife from discarded equipment and encouraged to follow the Angling Trust's Take 5 campaign and make use of the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme to dispose of their waste tackle and line.