Specialist firefighters have rescued a horse which was stuck in a muddy ditch.

Crews were called to Richborough Road, Sandwich at about 12.15pm today after the horse, which is 16 hands high, got stuck up to its head in the water-filled ditch.

Once they had arrived on site, it was quickly established the horse was in too deep, up to its head, and had become exhausted from trying to escape by itself.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service's Animal Rescue Unit was mobilised to the scene. Using the all-terrain rescue unit, ropes and straps the young horse was lifted out of the mud and returned to the owner who watched the rescue unfold.

Crews left the scene shortly before 2pm.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich