A HORSE ended up in deep water while grazing by the River Derwent in North Yorkshire.

Having stumbled down the bank, it fell into the river at Malton and was unable to get out.

The stallion was tall enough to stand on the river bed with just its head above the water and watched as local firefighters mounted a rescue.

They launched a boat and tied a rope around the horse's neck.

The animal, which belongs to a local family, was led up a ramp used for launching boats and back on to dry land.

A fire service spokesman said: "The animal was slightly upset, but it wasn't too distressed and we got it safely back to dry land.

"It could have been worse if the horse had panicked, but everything went quite smoothly."