An unsuspecting elk was rescued after falling through a swimming pool cover and getting stuck in the freezing cold water.

The large animal was wandering around in a residential area of Linkoping, 200 kilometres south of the Swedish capital Stockholm, when it fell into the pool after the metal sheet covering it gave way.

The emergency services used a harness and a ladder to get the elk out of the water.

It is not known how long the animal had been in the cold water before it was rescued.