A horse that mistook a swimming pool cover for grass ended up having an unexpected swim on Tuesday.

The cob broke through a fence into the owner's garden in Swan Street, Wittersham, near Tenterden at 6am.

It strayed onto the swimming pool cover and went through into 5ft of water. A vet and firefighters were called.

A spokesman for the Kent Fire and Rescue Service animal rescue unit said: "We sent guys in dry suits into the water and they put strops round the horse.

"We winched it out with our crane and it was fine. Soon after it was galloping round the field.

"There was a cover on the pool which the horse must have mistaken for grass and sunk down."