A ROE deer in Somerset had a lucky escape after it was rescued - from the bars of a metal gate.

The deer was spotted wedged in automatic gates on a driveway by the stunned resident who called the RSPCA.

RSPCA animal collection officer Paul Adams freed the deer from the gate in Taunton.

Paul said: "When I arrived at the property, the female roe deer seemed firmly wedged between two of the metal uprights in one of the gates.

''The poor animal - who was around the size of a labrador - may have been there for some time, as there was deer hair spread around the ground surrounding her, which was probably pulled out as she struggled to get free.

"When I looked more closely, I could see that her hip bones were preventing her from moving through the gates.

''In theory, she could have escaped by moving back the way she came, but her body was now also caught on the arm of the automated mechanism of the gate and it was probably very uncomfortable for her.

"She couldn't move forward and she couldn't go backwards.

"Luckily, I only needed to lift her a couple of inches to raise her over the obstruction and was soon able to free her from the clutches of the gate.

''Happily, having looked her over, she was uninjured, other than a few grazes and bruises.

"As the property was situated in a very rural area, surrounded by woodland, I was able to let the deer go straight away.

''She took one look at me and was off. This was a really happy ending but it could have ended very differently.

''Deer often go into shock when they are stressed, and can go downhill fast, so many don't survive an ordeal such as this.

''So I am really delighted this worked out so well for this particular roe deer.

"My thanks go to the householder for contacting us for help and delaying her journey to ensure the safe release of this lovely young deer."

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