A HORSE had to be rescued using specialist equipment near Burnham-on-Sea yesterday.

One fire engine from Burnham and a specialist rescue team from Barnstaple were sent to reports of a horse that was stuck in a water filled ditch at Whitegates Farm in Lympsham.

The incident happened yesterday (September 7) shortly after 1.30pm.

The horse was 18 hands tall and 6 years old.

Crews secured the area and liaised with a vet who was in attendance.

At 2.15pm, a farmer on scene was helping using a mechanical digger digging away at the bank to make better access.

At 3.15pm, the specialist rescue team started using a Hampshire lifting tool, strops and lines to lift the horse out of the ditch.

At 4.15pm, the horse was rescued and duty of care was left with the vet and owner.