A major rescue operation was launched after a horse was found down a well.

Firefighters were called to a field near Brewery Lane, Queensbury, yesterday after a young girl heard noises coming from the well.

The rescue team spent two hours getting the horse out of the well. A vet gave the animal a sedative to calm it down while the fire crews used a winch crane and a harness to get the horse out.

Illingworth fire station watch manager, Dale Gardiner, said: “A young girl walking her dog found it. It had been in there since Friday night and its owner was looking for it.

“The owner was upset it had been missing but we managed to get it out and she walked it up the hill. I’m not sure how the horse is now but everything seemed fine.”