FIRE crews helped rescue a horse from a river in Christchurch on Saturday evening.

The call came in to the emergency services at 8.05pm with reports of the animal, named Sid, aged 25 and standing at 15 hands, becoming stuck in a river at Chapel Lane in Hurn.

Poole animal rescue team, one Christchurch fire crew and an off road vehicle from Ferndown attended and entered the water to rescue the horse.

With the assistance of a vet, crews used strops to rescue Sid the horse from the river at 9.50pm. He was found to be in good health on his return to dry land.

All emergency crews were then able to leave the scene.