TEDDY the Tawny owl almost became a flood victim - but was saved from a watery grave by a compassionate passer-by.

The man spotted the owl in the middle of a giant lake of water at Wheldrake, perched on a submerged tree stump with its tail already in the floodwaters and becoming weaker by the minute.

He waded in and rescued the bird before taking it to Selby Animal Sanctuary where they used a syringe filled with glucose and water to resuscitate him.

Craig Ralston, assistant site manager at the Lower Derwent Valley national nature reserve, said the owl was extremely hungry and weak when it was rescued because its water-logged feathers had prevented it from hunting.

Joan Scott, owner of the sanctuary at Hambleton, said: "Teddy was in a bad way when he arrived here and was very weak, cold and dehydrated.

"He was still in a state of shock and was losing the use of his legs." Mrs Scott said they nursed him back to health, and at first kept him warm and snug in her bathroom. She said: "He's now got the strength back in his legs and wings. He's also got his appetite back and I'm delighted to say has made a full recovery." Teddy will soon be released back into the wild.