The RSPCA was called to rescue a deer after it got in a bit of a tangle.

Owners of a home in Cudham, near Sevenoaks, woke up to find the large Fallow deer tied up in a tennis court net in their back garden.

The mammal was so big three inspectors were called to rescue and free him on Wednesday, September 2.

After the deer was untangled and checked over, luckily it was uninjured so released back into the wild.

It's unknown how long he was stuck in the net for or how he initially got caught up, but it's thought he got himself into more of a tangle after panicking and thrashing around.

RSPCA inspector, Anthony Pulfer, said: "This poor animal had got himself into a proper fix.

“It was a tricky operation as the deer was so large, but eventually we managed to loosen the netting so he could run away free to live another day" - Anthony Pulfer

“There is no way he would have been able to untangle himself without any help and had the owners of the property not been at home to find him and thought to call us, it is likely that the deer may have suffered an injury or starved to death.

“It was a tricky operation as the deer was so large, but eventually we managed to loosen the netting so he could run away free to live another day."

The RSPCA urges those who use sports nets to remove and store them after the game and ensure any discarded nets are properly disposed of.

Other forms of netting, like pond or fruit netting, can be considered a real hazard to wild animals, and its recommended these are replaced with solid metal mesh.

Mr Pulfer added: “This deer had a lucky escape. Deer can often become seriously injured after getting caught up in nets like this, sometimes fatally. Netting of every type poses a dangerous hazard to our wildlife and it is important to remind the public how lethal it can be to animals.

“Tennis, football and badminton nets are often set up and left unattended in gardens and parks with many people not realising they can be death traps for wildlife. This netting won’t be a hazard for anymore wildlife though, it has been hastily taken away.”

If you spot a trapped animal you can call the RSPCA national cruelty and advice line on 03001234 999.