FIREFIGHTERS are beginning to wonder if a young seagull they rescued is lapping up a bit of extra attention...

The crew from Carlisle East Fire Station were called by the RSPCA on Saturday to help a seagull trapped in anti-bird netting at the Royal Mail sorting office on Junction Street – just days after they freed another young bird from the netting on the roof of their Eastern Way base. They were involved in a similar seagull rescue in April.

During the latest callout the crew used their aerial appliance to bring the bird to safety. “We’re beginning to wonder whether it is the same seagull that loves our attention,” said a spokesman.

Last Thursday they used ladders to get to a baby seagull stuck in the anti-bird netting on the station roof. They braved the swooping parents and managed to get the youngster into a box before releasing it to a safe place.

The spokesman said: “We are happy to report that the birds mother has returned, and has been able to have physical contact with the youngster for the first time in what has presumably been a while. Brought a tear to our eyes.

“He has affectionately been christened Steven Seagull and is no longer Under Siege.”

The crew were available to attend incidents at all times during the rescue.