AN INJURED horse had to be helped to its feet by Hampshire firefighters after it took a tumble in woodland.

Crews were called to Moorgreen Road in West End this morning after Eliza, a 26-year-old stallion, fell over and landed on his injured leg.

Unable to get up on his own, firefighters arrived at 10.30am, along with vet Gemma Rouse, who assessed the situation and helped to ensure that the distressed nag did not cause any more harm.

Eliza was sedated, before being secured in a harness and lifted to his feet, using the lifting arm of the multi-role vehicle.

The sedation was then reversed and the white horse began to show signs of recovery and started to walk unassisted, more than two hours after his fall.

Watch Manager Brown said: "It would appear that Eliza had been down for some time after falling onto his injured leg. We managed to move him off his injured side so that his internal organs were brought back in line but he was still unable to get up.

"The result was that we called for the multi role vehicle from Eastleigh fire station in order to raise him off the ground.

"Eliza has been removed from that paddock and placed in a more secure paddock that meets his needs.

"This was a successful result and an excellent example of partnership working between firefighters, the vet and Eliza's owners."