Firefighters from Croydon were called to rescue a horse who got itself stuck in a ditch last night.

The fire rescue unit were called at 3.30am by the RSPCA to Mitcham Common, close to the junction with London Road.

A crew from Wandsworth which has special, large animal equipment, was also called to the scene.

Firefighters chose to guide the animal out of the ditch, rather than try and lift it. After freeing the animal the horse was released back on to the common.

A fireman from Croydon fire station said: "I believe travellers allow the horse to graze on the common, but it was quite a surprise for us.

"It was a classic case of 'you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink'. It took a long time for us to get it free.

"County fire crews often deal with animals, but it was a new one for us."