AN ELDERLY horse was rescued by the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service after getting into difficulty in its field near Newport.

The animal became stuck in mud.

Firefighters from Newport Fire Station and a vehicle from Ryde this evening (Wednesday) attended the field, off Horsebridge Hill, to carry out an animal rescue.

The horse, named Alice, who was 26 years of age and measured 17 hands high, was left in the care of a vet.

The emergency call came in at 5.55pm and the stop message at 7.15pm.

UPDATE THURSDAY: Cheryl, the owner of the horse, said Alice did not survive the ordeal and was put down. She said: "Her heart rate was so high and she was giving up. She was put to sleep in the field."

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