A GRANDFATHER has been praised for his 'selflessness' following a rescue attempt that lasted more than an hour.

Nailsea resident, Barry Knight, says he was 'happy' to reunite a lost toy bird and return it to its grateful owner. 

On Sunday, September 11, Barry's granddaughter Annmarie was playing 'catch the flamingo' with her dad Jon. But horror ensued when it was thrown too high and landed on one of Nailsea's new wooden sculptures in town. 

The rescue attempt lasted more than an hour and the toy pink flamingo may have been lost forever without Barry's help. 

"The flamingo was stuck in distress for an age before our Barry completed a dynamic risk assessment to save the stranded bird," Jon said.

"As we know, flamingos are on the decline but are thankfully able to breed in Nailsea thanks to our hero."

The man of the hour, Barry, said: "It was just a selfless act to ensure my granddaughter went home safely with her pink flamingo."