A shire horse was at the centre of a rescue operation after it got stuck in a ditch at Corfe Castle.

Firefighters were called to save the stricken animal which became trapped in a small river in the village.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service sent a crew from Wareham along with a special rescue team from Poole to a field off Hollands Close.

They were met by the owner and a vet to assess the animal’s condition.

The 17 hands high horse called Bruno was plucked from the ditch by fire crews using strops.

A Dorset Fire and Rescue spokesman said the operation last Wednesday took more than two hours.

She said there was initial concern for Bruno’s wellbeing because he couldn’t stand up after being rescued.

The horse spent the night in a barn and managed to get on its feet the following morning.