Brave villagers caught a 6ft long crocodile that emerged from a canal in Thailand.

Residents spotted the reptile basking in the sun near the Nakhon Luang - Wang Noi irrigation canal in Ayutthaya province on March 14.

They called a wildliferescue team and local fisheries staff to catch it, but while waiting for officials, the crocodile slinked back into the water.

Worried that it might harm villagers and fishermen if left free, the locals decided to catch the beast themselves.

Footage shows the group casting a net into the canal and successfully snaring the crocodile. They pulled it ashore and handed it over to the provincial fisheries office.

Rescue worker Naret Payakchart said that the team went to the scene after receiving a report at 6 PM.

They found the crocodile lying still, so they kept an eye on it while waiting for the fisheries staff when the animal suddenly plunged into the canal.

Resident Anuwat Baitoeym, 46, said he frequently used the water from the canal.

He came to see the crocodile after hearing it had been spotted in the area. When he found that it was not as violent as he thought, he decided to help catch it.

Villagers also reported that another crocodile was lurking around one kilometre away in the same canal. They pleaded with authorities to catch it before it hurts anyone.