RESCUERS freed a stranded hawk which had spent the day tangled up in a TV aerial in Blackburn.

Thanks to the efforts of the RSPCA, the fire brigade and Turbary Woods Owl and Bird Sanctuary, Luly the hawk will be reunited with her owner.

Andrew Bilsborough, zoo director at Turbary Woods Owl and Bird Sanctuary, was called in to free the tangled bird at 5pm on Friday and two hours later the bird was free.

With the help of firefighters, Mr Bilsborough untangled the four-year-old hawk's leather tag from the aerial, where it had become snagged.

Mr Bilsborough said: "The bird's jesse was tangled in the TV aerial and it was in obvious distress. It only took me five minutes to untangle the bird and then secure it with a tag."

"It was quite surprised and remained very calm - I think it just wanted to be rescued and fed."

The Hawk's owner Adil Lincoln, of Dukes Brow, woke up on Friday to find his red-tailed hawk had disappeared from her perch in the garden.

After spotting her on the roof of a house on Granville Road at 1pm, Mr Lincoln called the RSPCA for help.

The 20 year-old claims advisor said: "I saw a bunch of magpies and crows on the roof of a house. I thought Luly was tangled with the aerial and the birds were attacking her."

"I didn't think I would get her back so I was so relieved and happy.

"I am not sure how she escaped. Either she freed herself or someone let her go but now I keep her perch in the aviary so she can't fly away."

Mr Bilsborough, who set up the bird sanctuary three years ago, said he is happy with the way Mr Lincoln keeps the hawk and they will be reunited.