FIREFIGHTERS were called to rescue a three week old foal who had stumbled into the Radcliffe canal in the early hours on this morning.

It is thought the young horse had escaped from a field before ending up in the water.

A resident who saw the horse from her house alerted the emergency services at 3am.

The water safety unit from Heywood was also called to the stretch of canal just off Bury Road, near to Withins Reservoir, in Radcliffe.

The foal's body was submerged with only its head above the water.

Around 15 firefighters were on the scene and devised a plan to rescue the horse while ensuring the safety of firefighters and the public.

The horse’s owner turned up as the rescue took place and the mare was also there to look after the foal after it had been rescued.

Firefighter Alex McClurg said: “We use ropes and strops to lead the horse to safety.

“As soon as it was out it was running around and then walked off with its mum.”