THIS young cow needed some help to moooove along after getting stuck in the mud.

The Belgian Blue calf was trying to reach the River Hamble near Manor Farm Country Park to get a cooling drink.

But firefighters were called out to rescue the nine-month-old animal after she became stuck in the mud with the tide coming in.

Animal rescue specialist Buster Brown, assisted by firefighters from Lyndhurst and Hightown, faced a race against time to free the calf before high tide.

Watch Manager Brown said: "The farmer had allowed his herd of around 20 young calves into the field for the first time and this one had tried to get down to the river for a drink.

"It got stuck in mud around 20m from the hard shingle bank so we attached a strop around its upper torso and and were able to ease it out, sliding the calf across the mud to safety.

"The tide had begun to turn so we had to work quickly and efficiently to ensure the animal was clear of the water before the high tide."

The calf was released by 5.15pm after an hour and a half of drama on Thursday and was unharmed despite her ordeal.