A HORSE and a pony had to be rescued by firefighters in Rainford after becoming stuck in a 15-feet deep ditch.

Fire crews were called to Reeds Brow in Rainford after horse 'Queenie' and pony 'Grace' had become stuck in the ditch.

Firefighters spent two hours to perform the rescue from around 8pm on Thursday (November 15).

One fire engine and the search and rescue team attended and crews used slings and a farmer's JCB vehicle to lift the animals - one at a time - out of the ditch.

Due to the narrowness and deepness of the ditch, there was no way to walk the animals out of it.

Two members of the rescue crew set up water lighting in the ditch to illuminate the rescue area and vets were also called to assess the horses.

The pony, Grace, was uninjured, although Queenie suffered cuts to her back legs - which were treated by a vet.

The rescue service says the horse is "not thought to be seriously injured".