Published at 13:02, Friday, 30 July 2010

A FARMER has praised an inshore rescue team who saved two of his lambs from a rapidly rising tide.

Farmer Paul Coward allows his sheep to graze on the land between the railway line and the beach at Kirkby.

But at the weekend, he was phoned by his mother who had been told two baby lambs had wandered onto the Duddon Estuary and were stuck.

Mr Coward, of Carthouse Farm, said: “I was away on Sunday morning when my mum phoned me, and she was the one who came up with the idea to ring the Duddon Inshore Rescue Team.

“I would normally try to get them out myself, but it’s not easy and it sometimes takes two or three people to do it, by pulling their legs out one by one.”

Mr Coward’s mother contacted Liverpool coastguard, who alerted the inshore rescue team.

Sarah Oliver, secretary of the team, said: “We were called out at 9am to the plight of two lambs which were caught in quicksand at Kirkby Pool. With an incoming tide they were in imminent danger of drowning.

“A team was quickly scrambled, resulting in two crew members creeping out onto the quicksand to release the stricken sheep. Mrs Coward was present at the scene and praised the team for their quick response in rescuing the sheep.”

Mr Coward, who has 250 sheep and 420 lambs, said although the animals were only young, they still weighed around 40 kilograms and were worth about £70 each.

Praising the work of the inshore rescue team, the 38-year-old farmer said: “They came and did a brilliant job, I’ve never had to use them before but knowing they are there is a real comfort and they provide a vital service to the area.”

The inshore rescue team, which relies on donations, warned walkers not to stray too far onto the estuary.

Mrs Oliver, said: “The area has become very dangerous due to heavy rainfall over recent days and people shoud be extremely careful when venturing onto the estuary foreshore.”

Published by http://www.askamlocal.co.uk