A GOOSE marooned on the icy Foss tested the mettle of York firefighters when they were called out to rescue it by the RSPCA.

The alarm was raised when a member of the public saw the goose sliding around on its belly on the frozen river at back of the Castle Car Park.

With a chest full of waterlogged feathers, the goose attempted again and again to get to its feet, kicking out its legs repeatedly, but the ice prevented its escape and its distress calls filled the air.

But firefighters arrived to save the day and used a turntable ladder to throw lines of rope and hoses across the river to shuffle and slide the goose along the ice.

Fireman Dave Duncanson lowered himself down by ladder to gather the goose up in his arms and bring it to safey.

Sue Edmond, RSPCA animal collection officer, said when the goose was brought out she discovered that not only was it cold and wet, but that its feathers were covered in cooking oil.

She took it back to the RSPCA's animal home at Landing Lane where it was going to be washed and given a warm bed.

She said: "Its feathers are extremely waterlogged and it's covered in oil. If we hadn't moved it, I think it would have died unfortunately.

"When it's fit and well, we'll take it back to the river and its pals."

Updated: 08:17 Tuesday, January 08, 2002