A 31-stone pig was rescued by firefighters after she lied down in the mud and got stuck.

Eight-year-old Dolly got into difficulty in her sty in Felsted near Braintree, Essex.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said three crews went to help the stricken animal, who had become distressed.

Crew manager Lewis Black said: “The pig had lied down in its sty but got stuck in the mud and could not get herself up.

“Crews worked in difficult conditions using strops – specialist straps for lifting – glide sheets and a fair bit of brute force to get her upright.

“It was the Animal Rescue Unit’s first incident involving a pig and crews were delighted to able to help the owner and see Dolly back to herself.”

A fire service spokesman said that they “got Dolly back on her trotters” then “left her to hog the limelight”.