EMERGENCY services worked together to rescue a horse stuck in the mud on a beach in Somerset.

HM Coastguard received a 999 call reporting a horse and its rider stuck on the beach in Burnham-on-Sea at around 10am today (Sunday, April 14).

The rider did not appear to be injured but the horse was stuck and the tide was set to rise.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Rescue units at the scene included Burnham-On-Sea RNLI inshore lifeboat, Burnham and Weston Supermare Coastguard Rescue Teams and BARB Hovercraft. Firefighters also joined to help rescue the horse.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Gemma Griffiths, senior maritime operations officer, issued safety advice following the incident.

She said: "Take care when walking or riding over these big expanses of tidal sand or mud and consider getting guidance from someone with local knowledge if you are at all unsure about your route.

"If you see anyone in trouble call 999 and ask for the coastguard"

Bridgwater Mercury:

A spokesperson from BARB said: "Our volunteers were called out this morning at 10am after a horse got stuck in thick beach mud near Burnham’s low lighthouse. Coastguards from Burnham and Weston were called to the scene, along with the fire service, BARB and Burnham RNLI. 
"A huge multi-agency operation took place to safely pull the horse free from the mud, which was complex and took over two hours. 
"This was a successful operation and the horse’s relieved owners were grateful for the help of all involved."