Firefighters rescue Lincoln the horse after falling in mud

There was room in the stable this Christmas for Lincoln the horse who was rescued by firefighters after getting stuck in mud this weekend.

Specialist animal rescue teams from Lyndhurst, Lymington, Winchester and Eastleigh were called out on Friday evening to save the 16-hands horse.

The crews arrived on the scene in Hordle and worked alongside a local vet to ensure the 19-year-old warmblood breed was safe.

Crews worked hard in difficult conditions using specialist equipment to remove Lincoln from the mud and relocate him to a nearby field where he could be fully assessed by the vet.

Firefighters left the scene more than three and a half hours after first being called, with Lincoln handed over to his owner and safely back in his stable for Christmas.