A NEWBORN foal was rescued by firefighters yesterday after it fell down a hole.

The four-day-old animal was hoisted to safety after spending the night in a ditch near Teesside International Airport, at Middleton-St-George, near Darlington.

Leading Firefighter Mike Money, from Darlington fire station, said the horse was not injured in the accident.

"Its owners found it and called us. We got her out by putting straps around her and gingerly pulling them," he said.

"She was a bit frightened, but once she was out and got the feeling back in her legs she was fine.

"Her mother was in the field and when we left the foal was suckling and looked to be quite happy."