Firefighters carried out one of the more unusual rescue missions they are likely to take part in this year when they freed a horse stuck in a ditch.

Crews were called to a field off Moreton Road, Ongar, at around 4.40pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday, July 2), to help a young horse who had got himself into a spot of trouble.

The horse, named Ronnie, was shoulder-deep in a watery ditch. His owners had been able to keep his head above the water but were unable to pull him out.

While the owners and a vet kept the horse calm, firefighters from Ongar station and the South Woodham Ferrers animal rescue unit got to work.

Using specialist equipment, crews managed to lift Ronnie out of the ditch and back to safety.

Although exhausted by his ordeal, the youngster did not suffer any injuries. The rescue was completed by 6:30pm and Ronnie was left in the care of his owners and the vet.