FIREMEN have notched up a feather in their caps for swooping to the rescue of a beleaguered Canada goose at Burrs Country Park.

The goose, stranded in an old mill working and without enough room to take off, had been swimming along a side tunnel, blocked from escape by mesh.

Crew called out from Bury Fire Station aimed hoses into one side of the tunnel, forcing the bird back into the open, where RSPCA inspector Brian Oxley and two firemen were waiting to pluck it from the water.

Firefighters from Heywood were also on hand to provide the aquatic rescue expertise and equipment.

The efforts of both crews were rewarded with a special citation from the RSPCA and framed certificates for each station.

Members of the Bury team were Dave Charlesworth, Mark Thomas, Dave Adamson, Roger Gubbins and station officer Pete Seddon.

Fireman Charlesworth said: "It's nice to be recognised for all the work that we do with animals, a lot of it goes unrecognised.

"As well as looking after people it's part of the job to look after animals. We get a lot of cows, horses and some dogs, but not many geese."

RSPCA Inspector Oxley, who also received a certificate, added: "There is no way that we could have managed this rescue without assistance from the fire brigade.

"I've worked with them many times and they're a great lot."