Exhausted fox rescued from Seaham marina after tidal trap

The fox was caught by a dock worker and taken away by the RSPCA

A young fox has been rescued after getting trapped by the tide at a County Durham marina.

The animal, thought to be about seven months old, was seen repeatedly trying and failing to swim at Seaham Harbour Marina on Friday, the RSPCA said.

Inspector Rowena Proctor said it was "exhausted and disorientated" after becoming trapped between the sea and a wall.

It was treated and released into an area known to be frequented by foxes.

The animal was caught by Sam Tuck, a worker for Seaham Harbour Dock Company who trapped it in a large bag.

The fox was seen repeatedly entering the sea to try and get off the small beach

RSPCA inspectors took it to Wrights' Vets in Birtley. They feared it had damaged a leg falling from the harbour wall but the fox was found to be uninjured.

Ms Proctor said: "He was a tiny little thing, small enough to fit in one of my cat carriers.

"We think he'd fallen in the water the night before and, after trying to swim back, had become exhausted and disoriented."

She said that when she had arrived he was lying in the bag, bedraggled and motionless, and that she had been concerned initially that he may not pull through.

"But he just needed warming up, a good meal in his tummy and some time to rest and recuperate," she said.