Two badgers found themselves in a hole lot of trouble after getting trapped in a disused swimming pool.

The RSPCA were called to help free the stranded wild animals, who were unable to escape after they had fallen into the disused pool in Truro.

RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Felicity Cross said: ‘The owner of the property was unsure about how long they had been in there as he doesn’t go out the back very frequently, but we think they had been stuck for two or three days.

‘Both were huddled together up the drier end as the pool had a fair amount of moss, mud and rain water in it.

‘With help from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Cornwall Badger Rescue, I put a large dog kennel into the pool and with a little bit of coaxing both went fairly quickly.

‘Both badgers were cold, wet and subdued and were left to rest and dry off a little before we checked the area for badger activity and located an active run close by.

‘As the badgers had recovered a bit since being rescued it was decided to release them on the run. Both wasted no time in leaving us to get back to the warmth of their sett.’

The RSPCA urges any homeowners with swimming pools or ponds to build a little ramp, slope the edges or use stones as steps to allow any wildlife which should fall into the water - or empty hole - to climb out.

If anyone spots a wild animal trapped, injured or in distress, please contact the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999. For more information on badgers, visit the RSPCA website at: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/inthewild/badgers