AN elderly man has been rescued after getting into difficulty in the water in the River Tone this morning (Thursday).

Firefighters were called to reports of the man in his 70s "stuck in the mud on the river bank" in Ruishton shortly before 9am.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "A fire appliance from Taunton, together with the special rescue team from Bridgwater, were mobilised following a call reporting a man in his 70s, stuck in the mud on the river bank.

"The crew from Taunton arrived on scene at 9.02am and by 9.09am confirmed they had located the gentleman, in water on the rivers edge, but not stuck in the mud.

"He was just unable to get back up the embankment."

The man was rescued by 9.13am by firefighters assisted by members of the public.

He was left in the hands of ambulance paramedics to be checked over.