Five ponies were rescued from their floooded field by firefighters from Faversham’s Animal Rescue Unit (ARU).

They were trapped in their field off Forstal Road, Aylesford, after the nearby River Medway burst its banks on Tuesday.

The alarm was raised just after 2pm when community warden Sara Battledore saw some of the ponies struggling in water that was up to their stomachs.

Four of them in shallower water were rescued, but five others – Love, Buttons, Doug, Spirit and Ozzie – were trapped on a tiny patch of higher ground.

Firefighters from the ARU and Larkfield donned dry suits and cut a fence to lead the animals to safety.

Dean Firmin, Larkfield station commander, said: “We didn’t know how deep the water was and it turned out to be about four or five feet deep.

“Eventually we managed to cut down a fence and walk them to safety. It was a happy ending.”

Emma Tidy, owner of the ponies, said: “I’m just really grateful that the firefighters saved the day.”

The ponies were temporarily re-homed in a field on higher ground and were given warm rugs to help them get over their ordeal.