THE fire service was called to assist in the release of a horse in foal stuck in a ditch at Northcombe, Germansweek, on Friday, at 11.30am.

One crew from Holsworthy, one crew from Okehampton and the specialist rescue team from Camels Head, were called with Station Commander Rooke in charge.

On arrival, the crews discovered the horse trapped upside down in an 8ft gully between a bank and a building. A neighbouring farmer assisted with the use of a mechanical digger, to dig away the bank.

The crews also used strops and lines to release the horse.