Firefighters have rescued a horse which had its hind leg stuck in deep mud.

A crew from Strood were called out at about 8.15am this morning after someone spotted the horse in distress.

The animal had got stuck in a muddy field near to the St Mary's church, in Church Street, Higham.

A specialist mud rescue crew from Sheppey and Faversham-based animal rescue unit crew were also sent to the scene.

Firefighters from the animal rescue unit used specialist heaving lifting apparatus to help get the horse out of the mud.

It is understood one of the horse’s hind legs was trapped in a deep water-filled muddy ditch at the site.

After being rescued, a vet from the RSPCA assessed the animal.

The horse's owner has not been located, but a nearby farmer, who watched the drama unfold, has decided to adopt the animal and take care of it.