A horse was pulled from deep water after it nearly drowned in a river at a caravan park in Seasalter, Whitstable.

The grey cob mare was seen struggling in the water at Alberta Caravan Park in Faversham Road but she was too weak to pull herself out.

Fire crews and RSPCA staff rushed to the scene after a member of the public raised the alarm and rang for help.

But RSPCA staff were unsure she would pull through.

Two officers entered the water to put a harness over the tired horse, while others distracted the nearby group of horses who were potentially scaring her away.

She was then heaved out of the water and up the steep-slope to safety which was in "the nick of time" according to rescuers.

RSPCA inspector Caz Doe said: “I was very relieved there was a happy ending to this one. I think we may have been just in the nick of time.

“It didn’t look good when we arrived and to be honest, I didn’t think the horse would make it.

“The poor mare was absolutely exhausted and really struggling - we think she had been in the water for a couple of hours at least.

“The fire and rescue team did an amazing job of wading into the water to strap her into the harness, and then pull her out - they were fantastic. But as they were pulling her out I had to literally hold her head up out of the water as she was so weak.

“It was such a good example of great teamwork - a really strong joint effort which saved the life of this animal I have no doubt.”