THE life of staff and volunteers at the Orsett-based South Essex Wildlife hospital can bring many and varied challenges.

After the trauma of a lost seal and the joy of reuniting fox cubs with their mums, today's eye-catching news from the local hospital was about a swan that had been rescued by the RSPCA after it was found handing upside down in a tree.

The swan was found by a National Trust member of staff who called the RSPCA after spotting the bird in Flatford. RSPCA inspector Jessica Dayes responded and found the swan was stuck by one of his legs which was caught between the branches of a tree.

Jessica said: "This poor swan had been stuck for quite a while and he did look in a sorry state. Luckily one of the National Trust staff members was quite tall so was able to bend the tree down so I could reach the swan and dislodge his foot from the two branches.

"He was a lucky swan, because it all happened so near to a footpath fortunately someone spotted him.

"I was concerned about his leg being damaged so I took him to South Essex Wildlife Hospital for them to check him over.

"He had a surface wound to his wing and probably had a numb leg as a result of hanging how he was! I'm grateful to everyone who helped with the rescue."

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit its website or call the charity's donation line on 0300 123 8181.

And if you would like to help support the work of the wildlife hospital you can make a donation via the following link.