FIREFIGHTERS battled for more than two hours to save a horse from the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Chester, a chestnut five-year-old cross-breed, got himself stuck in thick mud when he tumbled into the canal at Trowle Common on Thursday, May 16.

Fire crews from Bradford on Avon and a river boat rescue team based at Cooper Avon in Melksham were called by Chester's owners just before midday after they found him sinking in mud.

A floating walkway, ropes and pulleys were used to lever the horse free in a two-and-a-half hour operation.

Frome-based vet Rob Jackson monitored the operation and sedated Chester to stop him struggling.

Farmer Maurice Griggs, who owns the Widbrook Arabian Stud, said Chester is one of 40 horses stabled on his 75 acre property. His JCB was used to help drag Chester free from the mud.

He said: "We think he probably fell in the canal around 10am so he was in there a fair while. I think he wore himself out trying to get free.

Leading firefighter Chris Amer, who stayed in the canal with Chester throughout the rescue effort, said the operation was a tough one.

Workmen from British Waterways were called to the scene on Thursday afternoon to put up a new boundary fence. The fence is designed to prevent horses going near the canal edge.