Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team was 'activated' by the police to rescue a sheep that had fallen of a cliff and was stuck on a small ledge.

Northumbria Police activated Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team (NNPMRT) on Sunday, April 3 night following a request for assistance from the farmer at Edges Green, near Haltwhistle.

It was reported that one of the farmer’s ewes, that had recently lambed was stuck in a precarious location, two metres down from the lip of a crag on a very small ledge and above a 16m vertical drop.

Following a discussion with the farmer, it was agreed that a limited number of the Mountain Rescue volunteers would be deployed to assess the situation and determine whether they could assist.

A Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team spokesman said: "Having arrived on scene, we decided to give the rescue a go. Our 4x4 response vehicle, Curlew Echo, was positioned at the top of the crag as an unquestionably sound anchor and a rope rescue system was rigged.

"One of our ‘sheep whispering’ rescuers was then carefully lowered over the edge of the crag to try to secure the ewe. With the sheep secured, she and our rescuer were successfully lowered to the foot of the crag.

"After the mandatory photo, the ewe and her lamb were reunited.

"The farmer and his family were very appreciative and we were rewarded with a cup of tea and cake in the farmhouse!"

The incident involved six team members for just over five hours.