TWO fire crews were called out to try and rescue a horse which had keeled over in its owners' garden today (Thursday, December 8).

The 30-year-old horse collapsed and was unable to get up in a garden in Well Lane, North Stifford.

Fire crews from Grays and a specialist animal unit from South Woodham Ferriers went to the house to try and help.

The firefighters used specialist straps to try and lift the animal.

Sadly the horse didn't make it and had to be put to sleep by a vet.

Tony Clark, incident commander assistant divisional officer, said afterwards: "We did all that we could, assisting the vet at the scene. The owner of the horse was deeply upset, she's had the horse for 26 years."