A tawny owl found tangled in fishing line has been released back into the wild highlighting the dangers discarded angling litter poses to wildlife.

The bird of prey was discovered hanging from a tree above the river at Wilderness Wilson Recreation Ground.

The owl was taken to Wildlife Aid Foundation in Leatherhead where he was found to be in good health, though visibly exhausted.

The RSPCA says 751 litter-related calls it received last year were specifically linked to animals caught in fishing debris.

Carrie Stones, RSPCA anti-litter campaign manager, said: “It’s distressing to see how our native wildlife is being affected by litter. Old fishing lines can cut deep into the flesh of water birds like swans, geese and ducks, affecting circulation and causing wounds to become seriously infected. We even see birds that have swallowed barbed fishing hooks. These hazards can very quickly become a matter of life or death for them and action is urgently needed to tackle this problem head-on. It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.”