A LUCKY pigeon has been rescued after it was caught in the wire netting of an Ipswich town centre bank for four days. The bird was freed thanks to passer-by Diane Lambert, 63, of Ipswich, who noticed it trapped and struggling to get out.

A LUCKY pigeon has been rescued after it was caught in the wire netting of an Ipswich town centre bank for four days.

The bird was freed thanks to passer-by Diane Lambert, 63, of Ipswich, who noticed it trapped and struggling to get out.

Mrs Lambert, of Tuddenham Avenue, saw the bird at Lloyd's TSB, at the Cornhill, on Thursday and informed bank staff.

When she noticed it was still there the following day, the RSPCA and the Suffolk Fire Service got involved with the rescue operation.

RSPCA officers went to try to free the bird but could not reach as it was three storeys up.

They called firefighters to help but they could not find the pigeon, and had to return the following day on Sunday, to look again.

When they eventually rescued the bird, they also freed other birds.

Mrs Lambert is now nursing the pigeon at home. She said: “It was so thirsty that when I took it home it drank 30 spoons of water at once.”

An RSPCA spokesman said: “Calling the fire service for help is normal procedure for our inspectors and officers when animals or birds are caught in places where we cannot get to them and we are grateful for their support.”

The RSPCA said when pigeon netting is used as a deterrent it should be securely fastened to the building and checked regularly.

N Have you rescued an animal in trouble? Write to Your Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Ip4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk