FROM cats stuck up trees to toddlers jammed in railings, there are few scenarios that raise eyebrows among firecrews. However, members of the specialist water incident unit were still more than a little taken aback by an incident involving a bahhh-king mad sheep.

For the unit was definitely given the run around last Wednesday afternoon by the errant ewe in Saddleworth.

The service first received a call just before 4pm stating that two sheep were stuck in the canal near Spurn Lane, in Diggle.

When the crews arrived they found that the sheep had indeed given themselves an impromptu dip, but managed to get themselves out again and subsequently run off.

Putting it down to experience, the lifesavers were heading home when another call came in saying that a sheep was now stuck in a different section of the same canal.

The crew turned around and found that one of the original two culprits had apparently been chased by a collie dog – who had been trying to herd it away from the canal – and jumped back into the water.

Fortunately, the dog’s owner had gone into the water and rescued the sheep himself.

Barry Malone, the Watch Commander, said: "The sheep was in some distress on the bank which is also adjacent to a railway line, so I made the decision to remain whilst contact was made with the farmer who owns the sheep.

"Two local 13-year-old boys – Stuart Schofield and Mathew Brierley – had called us in the first place and were instrumental in the rescue. They were riding to the farmer’s home when the sheep got loose again."

Despite the best efforts of the two boys on their bikes to get beyond the sheep and make it change direction, the renegade animal jumped in to the water for a third time!

This time it was rescued by two firefighters with a line, which saved them from getting into the water and enabled them to secure the maverick until it could be shepherded home.

"The animal was herded by the two lads, Stuart and Mathew, four fire-fighters and the collie dog and its owner, back to the safety of the farmer," said Barry.

Cats stuck up trees seem like a breeze in comparison.