Crowds watched on in Shotley after a digger got into difficulty near the pier.

East Anglian Daily Times: A digger had to be helped out of the mud in Shotley Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMANA digger had to be helped out of the mud in Shotley Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMAN (Image: Archant)

According to onlookers the digger was working at the pier in the village when it was allegedly driven to the water to wash off mud in the river.

Unfortunately the digger soon became stuck and required rescue from a JCB which was also being used on the site.

Witnesses said that the JCB then ran out of fuel and once re-fuelled would not start.

A tractor then arrived at the scene and tried to drag the digger out but it more mud ended up being pushed in front of it as the tide came in.

East Anglian Daily Times: Onlookers watched as the digger tried to get out of the mud Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMANOnlookers watched as the digger tried to get out of the mud Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMAN (Image: Archant)

By this point a number of people had gathered near the water to watch the events unfolding near the pier.

They said that the digger was left in the water until the tide had subsided.

Both the tractor and JCB were removed from the beach.

East Anglian Daily Times: A tractor was called in to help the stranded digger Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMANA tractor was called in to help the stranded digger Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMAN (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: A JCB was brought in to help bring out the digger Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMANA JCB was brought in to help bring out the digger Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMAN (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The digger had to be left until the tide subsided Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMANThe digger had to be left until the tide subsided Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMAN (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: A digger had to be helped out of the mud in Shotley Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMANA digger had to be helped out of the mud in Shotley Picture: SAMANTHA BATEMAN (Image: Archant)