A pregnant cow needed rescuing by firefighters after getting trapped inside a family's swimming pool in Rutland.

The hapless heifer was hoisted to safety by fire crews after plunging into the deep end of the pool at a residential property in Ketton.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene on Ketco Avenue at around 12.40pm on 11 November.

They discovered the cow stranded in 2ft to 3ft (0.6m to 1m) of water and set about draining the pool.

Fire crews drowned the pool before lifting the cow to safety (SWNS).

She was then lifted out using a downer cow harness, a piece of equipment designed to protect her udders, before being checked over by a vet.

The technical rescue crew from Southern Station was at the scene for more than three hours before leaving just before 4pm.

Writing on social media, the service jokingly posted that the farmyard animal had taken time out to pamper herself, but was unable to "check herself out".

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They said: "No day is the same!

"Yesterday, Southern Station were called out to a residential swimming pool in Rutland where a pregnant heifer had checked herself in for a spa day! 

The fire service said the farmer has arranged for her to be kept an eye on (SWNS).

"The only problem is, she couldn't check herself out.

"Blue Watch drained the pool and then lifted her to safety using a downer cow harness; a piece of equipment designed to protect her udders.

"Hopefully that will be her last swim of the season!"

A fire service spokesperson added: "The farmer has arranged for her to be kept an eye on."