Nasa has fixed a probe on Mars by hitting it with a robotic shovel.

The space agency resorted to traditional methods after a device that was supposed to dig into the Red Planet's soil got stuck.

Called the "mole," the 15-inch long burrowing implement became firmly wedged after the ground turned out to be clumpier than expected.

It has been stuck for months while scientists on Earth worked out what to do.

In the end they instructed InSight, the lander that delivered the "mole" to Mars, to use its shovel scoop to hit the probe.

Nasa said in a statement: "A bit of good news from Mars. Our new approach of using the robotic arm to push the mole appears to be working!

"We are excited to see the images and plan to continue this approach over the next few weeks."