A CALF trapped on a cliff ledge at a Purbeck beauty spot for almost five days has died despite the efforts of a rescue team and vet.

The animal apparently wandered off last Thursday and its owner, a local farmer, has tried in vain to entice it back from a ledge 15 metres from the clifftop at Langton Matravers.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the cow's plight on Sunday, but its Poole-based animal rescue team had to wait until today so that a vet would be available to sedate the cow.

A fire crew from Swanage is at the scene to help haul the cow back up the cliff.

 However, despite five-and-a-half hours of work today, a spokesperson for the service said the calf had sadly died.