FIREFIGHTERS came to the aid of an elderly pony which had been stuck in a ditch for most of the night.

Crews from Weymouth, Dorchester and Poole were called to Tincleton, near Dorchester, to rescue the stricken 42-year-old pony named Springtime.

Technical teams specialising in animal rescues supported other firefighting colleagues in the incident.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “The pony had been stuck in the ditch for most of the night.

“The owner was in attendance when we arrived at the scene.

“The technical rescue team attended and crews used an ‘A’ frame and winches to lift the pony out.”

The animal was then left in the care of the local vet and crews left the scene at 10.50am.