A CURIOUS ferret had an "un-FERRET-able experience" after getting stuck at the top of a 20ft drain pipe.

Firefighters came to the rescue of the "little rascal" after it became stuck at the top of the pipe at a house in Princes Street, Bishop Auckland, at about 3.45pm.

The Bishop Greens crew from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service used an extension ladder and line to "pluck the little tinker from the top of the drain pipe and bring her little paws safely back to the ground".

A spokeswoman for the service said: "It turns out the ferret was stray, so she was taken into the care of RSPCA (England & Wales). What an un-FERRET-able experience."