STABLEHANDS jumped into a flooded ditch to save a horse which slipped into the water while grazing in a field.

The owner of the horse, Trish Goodwin, from Bolton, and other livery hands were then involved in a race against time to keep the stricken animal's head above the water.

They managed to stop the horse from drowning until a team of firefighters arrived at the farmer's field in Astley, near Leigh, to help drag the former milk pony to safety.

Thankfully Prince, a chestnut cob, who in his younger days travelled thousands of miles pulling a milk float and a gypsy caravan, survived the drama unscathed.

Trish was helped in the rescue by stablehands Lisa Wigglesworth and Carol Roberts, who feared the horse would drown without their help in the brook at Rawsons i'th' Nook Farm, Astley Moss.

Lisa said: "We just had to try and keep his head above the water, it was hard because every time he dropped his head it went under the water."

They were joined by nine firefighters from Leigh fire station who joined the women in the water but it still took up to an hour to get slings and ropes around the horse and haul him to safety.

Prince, covered in mud and soaking wet, was eventually freed and taken to his stable to checked over by a vet who found he had suffered no serious injuries.

Stablehand Carol Roberts said after the ordeal: "We have been unable to wash him down because he was cold after being in the water but we dried him with straw, gave him medication and put a warm quilt on him. He's wonderful for his age -- which is something like a 100 years in comparison with a human lifetime.

And owner Trish thanked everyone who had helped her faithful old pal with whom she travelled thousands of miles on Britain's by-ways.

"He was lucky to get out," said a grateful Trish who visits him every day at the farm where he is enjoying retirement. STABLEHANDS jumped into a flooded ditch to save a horse which slipped into the water while grazing in a field.

The owner of the horse, Trish Goodwin, from Bolton, and other livery hands were then involved in a race against time to keep the stricken animal's head above the water.

They managed to stop the horse from drowning until a team of firefighters arrived at the farmer's field in Astley, near Leigh, to help drag the former milk pony to safety.

Thankfully Prince, a chestnut cob, who in his younger days travelled thousands of miles pulling a milk float and a gypsy caravan, survived the drama unscathed.

Trish was helped in the rescue by stablehands Lisa Wigglesworth and Carol Roberts, who feared the horse would drown without their help in the brook at Rawsons i'th' Nook Farm, Astley Moss.

Lisa said: "We just had to try and keep his head above the water, it was hard because every time he dropped his head it went under the water."

They were joined by nine firefighters from Leigh fire station who joined the women in the water but it still took up to an hour to get slings and ropes around the horse and haul him to safety.

Prince, covered in mud and soaking wet, was eventually freed and taken to his stable to checked over by a vet who found he had suffered no serious injuries.

Stablehand Carol Roberts said after the ordeal: "We have been unable to wash him down because he was cold after being in the water but we dried him with straw, gave him medication and put a warm quilt on him. He's wonderful for his age -- which is something like a 100 years in comparison with a human lifetime.

And owner Trish thanked everyone who had helped her faithful old pal with whom she travelled thousands of miles on Britain's by-ways.

"He was lucky to get out," said a grateful Trish who visits him every day at the farm where he is enjoying retirement.

Pictured, above left, with Prince are stablegirls Carol Roberts and Lisa Wigglesworth with owner Trish Goodwin