RSPCA inspectors Kate Davis and Phil Bussey have been commended for their bravery after they saved a cow that fell into a swimming pool.

Miss Davis and Mr Bussey were called to a house near Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, on December 11 last year after the cow fell through the pool cover into 4ft of water.

Both inspectors were on secondment in the area. Mr Bussey normally covers Chippenham and Miss Davis covers the Devizes area.

Mr Bussey got into the water and attached a rope to the cow, which was shivering in the shallow end. Firefighters from Stroud and Nailsworth stations and the RSPCA inspectors tried to build steps to help the cow out but their efforts failed.

The cow's condition deteriorated and the swimming pool was drained. Staff from a scaffolding firm who were working close by offered to build a proper ramp and Mr Bussey and Miss Davis rubbed the cow with sacking to improve its circulation while the ramp was constructed.

When the ramp was in place a vet attended the rescue and led the cow up the ramp to safety. The cow was later freed unharmed.

The pair, along with the firefighters and scaffolders who helped them, received certificates of commendation from the RSPCA at a ceremony at Paganhill Fire Station, Stroud, last Wednesday .

Mr Bussey said: "This rescue highlights how much the RSPCA relies on the fire service and other organisations to rescue animals.

"We are very grateful for their help and presenting them with certificates is one way we can thank them."

Miss Davis said: "It's nice getting an award but I am really pleased that the fire crew and the scaffolding company are being recognised. They did a lot of the hard work and we could not have managed it without them."