A YOUNG rider had a lucky escape when she jumped into a reservoir to save her horse during a Boxing Day hunt.

The horse bolted as they rode through Lead Mines Clough, next to Anglezarke reservoir at Rivington, with the Holcombe Hunt.

Witnesses said it then crashed into trees, throwing the rider off before skidding on ice and plunging into the water.

The woman immediately jumped in, desperately trying to pull it to safety.

They managed to struggle out of the icy water, but it became trapped behind a dry stone wall and had to be freed by firefighters.

One witness said: "The girl had just left the hunting field because her horse was getting a bit strong for her.

"None of us had seen her before but these things happen from time to time. Luckily they were both okay."

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters from Chorley were called to the reservoir, off Parson's Bullough Road, just before 2pm.

Watch manager John Firth, from Chorley Fire Station, said the horse and rider were on an embankment when his crew arrived.

"The horse was still really spooked and we were worried it would go back down the embankment into the water so we took down the stone wall and a fence and got it back on to the road to safety," he said.

Mr Firth said the rider was fine but that she started to suffer from the early effects of hypothermia and was taken away in a car so she could get warmed up.

Arnold Greenhalgh, joint master at the Holcombe Hunt, said the woman had been heading for home when it happened.

He said: "She was going back to her wagon and had left the hunt.

"All I know is that they fell into a river leading to the reservoir. We heard later that she was okay."

More than 100 riders took part in the traditional Boxing Day hunt.

Hunting foxes and hares with dogs was outlawed in 2005, but dogs can still be used to follow a scent.

Do you know the rider involved? If so, please call our newsdesk on 01204 537270.