A HORSE trapped in a ditch in Stoke Lacy was rescued by firefighters.

The horse became trapped after being spooked, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's Station Commander Adrian Thompson said.

"A lady was riding her horse along the A465 near Stoke Lacy when it was spooked by a lorry," the commander said.

"The horse ended up on its side in a ditch but the rider was able to raise the alarm.

"The crews from Bromyard and Hereford were quickly on the scene.

"Using specialist equipment and with the assistance of a local farmer with a telehandler and under the supervision of a vet, we were successfully able to remove the sedated horse from the ditch."

The horse was taken to a nearby stables after the incident, at around 11.40 am this morning, and has now made a full recovery.

The fire service advises motorists to always give horses the width of a car when passing and reduce your speed to 15mph.