FIRE crews pushed the boat out to help a stricken cow trapped in a Bury lodge.

Bury firefighters were unable to haul the beast from the water so they requested help from the fire service's inshore rescue unit.

The rescue operation began at 12 noon on Sunday (Sept 15) at the lodge off Mather Road in Walmersley after a walker alerted the emergency services to the cow's predicament.

A total of four rescue crews were on hand during the 90 minute operation. Several officers manned the inshore rescue boat and managed to coax the cow to the banks and to safety.

Despite a slight hoof injury the cow joined its fellow bovines for a spot of lunch after her ordeal.