A HORSE was winched from a ditch this morning - but several others remained on the loose after escaping from a field.

A fire crew rescued one horse from its position upsidedown in a ditch on the Toronto bypass, near Bishop Auckland.

The animal had been trapped when it was discovered at about 10am on Saturday.

But although the horse was freed and returned to its field nearby, it emerged that six horses had escaped altogether, and were heading towards the viaduct.

Police have been informed, while a vet has also been on hand to tend to the animals.