The RSPCA is urging homeowners in the South West to be careful when installing anti-bird netting, after a seagull had to be released by the fire service in Cornwall.

The bird became entangled after landing on the roof of a holiday cottage in Polruan, and had to be rescued by the fire service.

Exhausted and suffering from a damaged wing, the bird was then taken to the RSPCA wildlife hospital at West Hatch in Somerset for treatment.

Suzy Hannaby, RSPCA inspector, said: "We are getting a lot of gulls trapped in netting at the moment, possibly because they are looking for places to nest.

"Unfortunately due to the difficulties in accessing many of these areas we have to call the fire and rescue service for assistance, for which we are very grateful.

"Any type of bird netting should be professionally installed and regularly maintained to ensure that birds cannot become trapped behind or in it.

“Problems arise when netting is put up incorrectly or becomes damaged, leaving gaps where birds can enter and become trapped.

"These birds become exhausted and are often badly injured by the netting and can sadly sometimes suffer a long and painful death from injury or starvation if they are not spotted in time.”

The seagull in Polruan was the second to be rescue by inspector Hannaby in the county in recent days.

Another gull had become trapped between two solar panels on the roof of a house in Bodmin, but was able to fly away uninjured after it was freed.

Gulls and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure the birds.

It is also illegal to take or damage a nest or egg of a wild bird, except under license.

Herring gulls in particular are a species of conservation concern in the UK and research has shown that their populations are in decline.

Members of the public who see the birds becoming trapped in netting are urged to notify the RSPCA.

They will then write to the owner with advice and guidance to resolve the issue.