A THIRSTY horse had to be rescued last night after getting stuck for several hours in a small pond in Baxenden.

The 28-year-old animal had wandered into the one-and-a-half feet deep water for a drink, but ended up sinking into the mud.

The owner of the farm on Alliance Street, Baxenden, only discovered the horse when he went to feed it at 8pm.

He raised the alarm and fire crews from Accrington and a specialist animal rescue unit from Nelson were deployed.

However, by the time they arrived, quick-thinking residents had used a tractor and slings to pull the stricken horse most of the way out of the pond.

A spokesman for Hyndburn Fire Station said: “We just assisted their efforts and 10 minutes later the horse was up on its legs.”

The vet was called to give the horse a clean bill of health.