Heron flies free after release from fishing wire

A heron has been released back into the wild after being freed from a tangle of fishing wire.

Brinsley Animal Rescue in Nottinghamshire said the bird had "beaten the odds" after it was found trapped and wounded near the Ilkeston canal.

Centre co-founder Jon Beresford, who nursed the heron back to health, said he was concerned the bird might struggle but was relieved when it "flew and flew".

"It was amazing and made all the hard work worthwhile," Mr Beresford said.

The animal rescue centre has urged anglers not to leave fishing wire behind because it poses a threat to animals, fish and birds.

It said it received four or five phone calls a week about wildlife trapped in fishing wire but only managed to rescue one in 20 successfully.

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