FIREFIGHTERS rescued a horse from a well in Crewe.

The gelding, called Sammy, was stuck in water inside the well in a field at Herbert Street when fire crews from Crewe, Knutsford, Lymm and Bollington attended yesterday afternoon.

Officers trained in animal rescue used specialist stropping techniques to lift the horse clear.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "On arrival the horse's owner was in attendance and the animal was in a calm state in around three feet of water.

"Firefighters removed the side of the well to improve access and the horse was sedated by a vet as an animal rescue team applied rescue strops to it.

"The horse was then lifted out of the well by a telehandler."

Sammy was reported to be suffering no ill effects after being assessed by a vet and his rescuers left him in the hands of his owner.

Crewe Fire Station tweeted: "Rescued Sammy a 13.2 hh gelding from a well. Firefighters used specialist stropping techniques to rescue him just in-time for his tea!"