TWO animal welfare officers stripped off during the brave rescue of a lamb from the banks of the River Lugg, near Hereford, last Thursday.

As the temperature soared to 30C, Lyndon Yardley and Andrew Gough, stripped down to the "bare essentials" to wade across the river and carry the stricken lamb to safety.

The six-month-old animal became trapped after a section of bank gave way, leaving it stuck inches away from certain death.

The Herefordshire Council officers swung swiftly into action after a call from the public.

Lyndon Yardley, said: "The lamb didn't put up much of a struggle when we picked him up. He was very weak - I think he had been there for two to three days."

When the rescuers were midway back across the river, two fireman appeared.

The "sheepish" officers explained the animal had been rescued and no further assistance was needed.

Lyndon added: "We were relieved to find our clothes were where we left them, along with our car keys and mobile phones.

"If someone had nicked our clothes it would have meant walking back to Hereford in our underwear!"