FIRE fighters will be honoured after they plucked a stranded moorhen from a canal when it became entangled in a discarded fishing line.

The rescue by the Blackburn fire crew is believed to be the first of its kind recognised by the RSCPA.

The firefighters were a called out after RSPCA officers were unable to free the bird from vegetation in the canal in Eden Street, Daisyfield, Blackburn.

Firefighters had to climb over a 12ft wall before they could reach the canal.

They were then able to hold colleague Nigel Hodson over the water by his tunic to rescue the bird.

The moorhen - named Freda - was six foot away from the bank and had to be cut free. RSCPA regional superintendent Bill Cottingham said: ''It was a particularly awkward rescue. It took quite a while to cut the bird free while the fireman was still being held over the water.

''I have never heard of the rescue of a moorhen before.

"Discarded fishing line is a problem and, if it wasn't for the bravery of the firefighters, the bird would have died.''

The four men receiving the certificate of commendation are acting leading firefighter Stuart Hardacre and firefighters Gary Kiyani, Nigel Yates and Nigel Hodson.

Station officer David Bowers said: ''It shows the diversity of jobs we deal with. The men did very well to help a bird in distress.''

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