Firefighters rescue horse stuck in ditch

FIREFIGHTERS from Merseyside and Lancashire joined forces to rescue a horse stuck in a ditch using a tractor.

The five-year-old cob horse had been stuck overnight near Causeway Lane, on the border of West Lancs and Sefton, before being discovered on Monday morning.

Crews were alerted shortly after 7.30am, with one fire engine and the search and rescue appliance despatched from Merseyside and a fire engine sent from Lancashire.

Station Manager Phil Byrne said: “Crews worked together to fit straps to the horse before using plant machinery from the local farm to lift the horse clear and to safety.

“The horse was checked over by a vet prior to being reunited with its friends in the correct field.”

An arson investigation has been launched after a fire at the old college in Skelmersdale

Fire crews rescued a horse from a ditch in Great Altcar