HASLEMERE firefighters raced to the rescue on Monday when a horse fell into a swimming pool in Grayswood.

A groom from a neighbouring livery stable raised the alarm at 12.15pm when she discovered the horse, named Tilly, had escaped from its field through a broken fence and missed its footing while exploring the delights of the garden next door.

Getting the horse, which was 15.2 hands high and weighed 500kg, safely out of the pool was a tall order and took four hours.

"One of the fences was down and Tilly had gone for a wander," said crew manager Dom Spooner, who led the rescue operation.

She had fallen in but when we arrived she was standing up. The vet was there and sedated her so she could be lifted out of the pool.

"We mobilised the animal rescue unit, from Painshill, which provided an offroad vehicle with lifting equipment to help us get her out safely.

"I hope Tilly was grateful. We didn't get any hugs or kisses but she was getting quite cold and wet and must have been glad to get out.

"The vet gave her a good checking all over and said she was fine so she was returned to her stable."