FIREFIGHTERS have rushed to the aid of a horse slumped over on a "pile of dung".

Tess the horse was down and struggling to get back on her feet.

Crews from Romsey, Eastleigh and Brockenhurst scrambled to assist the 30-year-old mare who lay covered in straw and muck.

Using straps and harnesses emergency workers from both Hampshire, and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services pulled Tess from her stable in Hampworth Road, Hamptworth.

Bournemouth Echo:

She had been propped up on a dung heap with rescue workers having to dig around her to get their straps in place.

Weighing almost half a tonne it was a "happy ending" as Tess was eventually able to get back on her feet.

Bournemouth Echo:

Vets were on the scene to assist after Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service received the emergency call at 2.20pm on Saturday.

The stop message came in at 4.28pm.

Bournemouth Echo:

A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services, said: "At 2.20pm on Saturday, April 18, crews from Romsey, Eastleigh and Brockenhurst (including our Animal Rescue Advisor Jim Green) were called to Hamptworth Road in Hamptworth as an elderly horse was down and struggling to get back up.

"The horse was thirty-year-old Tess. Endell Vets were also on the scene.

"Tess was successfully gotten back to her feet and the stop message came in at 16:28."