A DONKEY which was rescued after becoming stuck in a soggy ditch has sadly passed away.

Firefighters from Newquay and Tolvaddon fire stations were called to help the donkey after he got stuck in the ditch at the end of his field.

The firefighters, together with a Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service flexi duty, were sent to a farm in the Mawgan area of Newquay around 4.30pm on Saturday.

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They managed to rescue the donkey and pass him over to a vet but unfortunately he died overnight.

Posting on their Facebook page, Newquay firefighters said: "We’ve just received some sad news that Patrick unfortunately passed away this morning.

"After making it through the night in his stable with his coat and a duvet for warmth, we all hoped he was through the worst of it.

"We are just happy he didn’t die alone and was able to join his friends in the field.

"We are all a bit gutted because he was such a kind natured fella and we did all we could to assist, believing he’d made it.

"We send love to the family and his pony/ horse friends who will also miss him."