A deer that swam four miles from the Isle of Wight to the Hampshire coast later drowned during a bungled rescue attempt yesterday, firefighters said.

The three year old roe buck managed to make dry land on the Southsea shore at around 10am, but then returned to the water as beachgoers looked on.

The RNLI sailed closeby to shadow the deer and keep other boats and swimmers away while rescue efforts were organised.

But when the lifeboat crew returned to shore to pick up an animal rescue specialist, members of the public in a passing boat mounted their own rescue attempt, lassoing the deer. Their efforts led to the animal becoming distressed and drowning.

Moments later when the buck was pulled aboard an RNLI rib, efforts to resuscitate it using chest compressions and mouth-to nose resuscitation proved to be in vain.

Officials said members of the public should not attempt to help animals in distress themselves, but should call 999.