FIREFIGHTERS from Knutsford came to the rescue of a horse which had ended up in a Sandbach canal. 

Just after 8am on Tuesday, February 2, the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's rope rescue unit from Knutsford were called to Betchton Road in Sandback to rescue 'Babe' the horse, who was standing in the water close to the edge of the canal bank. 

On arrival, the crew used straps and a mechanical lifting machine to get Babe back onto dry land. 

Gemma Beech posted on Facebook: "Thank you so much to the fire and rescues team and all their hard work getting babe out safe and sound, babe is doing fine no injuries tucked up nice and warm for the night."

Sue Ashley added: "I was there. They were fantastic. Pony dried and happily eating hay."