Chunky squirrel gets stuck in garden bird feeder

In its eagerness to escape, the feeder and the squirrel ended up on the floor, the RSPCA said

A "chunky" squirrel needed a helping hand after over-indulging on nuts and becoming wedged in a bird feeder.

RSPCA inspector Claire Mitchell said the rapacious rodent was discovered in "an undignified position" in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.

She likened the plight of the stricken squirrel to Santa Claus getting stuck up the chimney.

A nearby resident spotted the creature's predicament on Friday and sought help to free it.

Insp Mitchell said the squirrel's head, torso and arms became wedged in the feeding tube, leaving its legs splayed outside.

She said: "This greedy boy must have gone in and obviously had such a good feed on his Christmas nuts he was unable to exit.

"His legs were just dangling out of the feeder which reminded me of Santa stuck in a chimney."

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After rescuing the unfortunate animal, Insp Mitchell said: "He was obviously frightened but otherwise appeared unscathed.

"I freed him... by giving him a good pull and as soon as he was free he made a quick getaway - which was good to see."

She added: "He probably needs to lay off the nuts for a while."