A volunteer had to be rescued after sinking into wet sand while planting trees during a reforestation activity.

Firefighter Maria Rosalie Maglana joined colleagues for the environmental effort in Davao del Sur, the Philippines, on July 18.

However, after standing in one spot for too long, she became stuck and submerged knee-deep into the soft ground.

Footage shows Maria Rosalie laughing in embarrassment as she struggles to free herself.

Their team leader stepped in to help, pulling her out of the thick sludge while she tugged herself upwards.

She said: 'It looked easy, but it was actually hard to move. The ground was so soft it felt like it was melting. I had only stood there a few minutes and sank.'