Ginger the kitten is saved from canal

Firefighters plucked this kitten from the verge of disaster after being called to a canal.

The kitten, who has been nicknamed Ginger, was clinging desperately to the branch of a tree hanging over the water. A crowd of people stopped to watch the drama and called 999 after it became clear the kitten, thought to be six weeks old, was in distress.

West Midlands Fire Service says it will not charge for the call-out because it is classed a water rescue and the animal's life was in danger. The drama happened yesterday afternoon close to Great Bridge Retail Park off the High Street.

Firefighter Paul Dixon said: "It was clinging to the branch. It probably wouldn't have lasted much longer before it had fallen in."

One of the rescuers, firefighter Sean Yeardley, hopes to adopt the kitten if the owner cannot be found.