A 20-YEAR-OLD shire horse has been rescued by Kent firefighters after plunging into a ditch.

The almost one ton-heavy horse, named Paul, had become stuck in the ditch at Abbotts Court Road, Hoo, near Rochester, and almost three-quarters of his body covered in water.

Firefighters from Strood, and the specialised animal rescue service from Faversham, wore body armour to protect themselves from injuries when approaching the animal.

By the time the brigade got to Paul he had been in the water for quite some time, lying on his side and was unable to get up. The crews battled for more than three hours to free the horse and at one point worried they could lose him.

Strood station commander Martin Cripps said: "We feared for him. He looked so exhausted. It was so distressing and the owner was very concerned.

"We went out there and waited for the animal rescue vehicle to turn up. We also got a vet to attend.

"Essentially we tried to lift him but every time we got near to put the straps on him he tried to get out himself."

Eventually the vet in attendance sedated the horse and firefighters were able to get the straps on and winch him to safety.

As soon as the firefighters managed to get Paul out of the water he stood up by himself and by the time they left he was walking around.

"It looked like he was going to be OK. He seemed very strong," said Mr Cripps.

It is not known how Paul managed to get into the ditch but the horses in the field use it to drink from.

Paul's owner Sharon Smith said she was grateful for all the help the firefighters had provided. "They were absolutely brilliant," she added.