A ROE deer had to be rescued by the RSPCA after it became wedged in the branches of a tree at Haydock Park racecourse.

The deer was trapped with his front legs over one side of a tree and his back legs over the other and released by RSPCA officers Matt Brown and Victoria Marsh after racecourse staff spotted the trapped animal.

Animal Welfare Officer Brown said: “If it wasn’t for the deer’s discomfort it would have been a comical scene. He must have somehow miscalculated the gap and was in a jam. It’s a good thing he was spotted.”

Fortunately the young buck was none the worse after his stag night misadventure and was quickly released back into the wild.

RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Marsh said: “The racecourse staff did a great job of making sure he was okay till we got there.

“It was pretty clear that he was not happy to see us but he was certainly glad to be free and quick to get away.”