A POSTMAN came to the rescue when a horse bolted into a road moments after giving birth.

Postie Phil Holt found the panicked animal, named Mia, in the middle of a road off Saccary Lane, Mellor, with her newly-born foal.

It is believed four-year-old Mia, who had never given birth before, was spooked as she went into labour for the first time and bolted through a fence at Cunliffe Moss Farm.

Luckily, a passing decorator and Mr Holt, 61, were on hand to offer assistance.

Mr Holt, of Brantwood Avenue, Knuzden, said: “I was passing when the decorator asked me to help out.

“I knew it had come from the farm so I went and told them and came back to keep an eye on the horse and her foal, trying to keep them calm.”

Mr Holt was in the road for 20 minutes while farm help arrived and a halter was fitted round Mia’s head to lead her away.

However, he played down his role in the drama.

He said: “It is certainly one of the most unusual things that has happened to me on a post round.

“But I didn’t do anything heroic.

“I just helped out.”

Farm worker Sue-Helen Shuttleworth, 30, said: “Mia had not given birth before and was not even due until the end of the month so we think she just panicked as she went into labour.

“Luckily, there were a couple of people on hand when she ran into the road and they helped us bring her back to the farm too.

“We are very grateful to them because Mia could easily have run off or been hit by a car.”

Mia and her foal, who is yet to be named, were checked over by a vet but were both uninjured.