A BAT had a lucky escape after it was left hanging 'for some time' when its wing got caught on a fly fishing hook.

An RSPCA inspector was called to help the tiny mammal which was found hanging in a tree over the river Allen on Tuesday morning.

Inspector Josephine Story said: "He was caught on approximately half a metre of fishing line with the hook through his wing.

"He had likely been there for some time as bats don’t usually fly during the day."

The bat was taken to Piddle Valley Vets in Puddletown where it was anaesthetised to remove the hook and given a full medical assessment.

Ms Story added: "Fortunately no bones were broken and no major blood vessels ruptured so the bat should make a full recovery."

The bat is now recovering at East Dorset Bat Rescue where he was identified as a Daubenton’s bat. He’s been affectionately named Jordan after his attending vet who treated him.

A spokesman for East Dorset Bat Rescue said: "He is a gorgeous young lad, only a few months old. He was dehydrated and underweight from being trapped and trying to escape the hook, but otherwise he’s in excellent condition.

"It is the wrong time of year for a quick heal - bats slow down on colder nights and so does their healing - so it will be a few months before he’s fully recovered from his ordeal."

East Dorset Bat Rescue have said this is the second bat caught by fishing litter in the area.