Fire chiefs are reportedly blaming health and safety regulations for the decision to send 40 firefighters to rescue a single sheep.

The emergency services received a 999 call when the animal got trapped on a ledge above a flooded quarry in Bacup, Lancashire.

The sheep's owner was amazed when seven fire crews were sent to his aid.

They performed a delicate, two-hour operation involving a team using wetsuits and an inflatable boat.

Three fire crews were sent 30 miles from Preston, while others arrived from four different stations in the area, including Bacup's own local crew.

A fire service spokesman said: "Incidents near water have health and safety issues.

"The numbers sent weren't there to ensure the sheep was rescued but that no firefighters were injured."
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