A two ton shire horse had to be pulled to safety after it fell down a muddy bank at Sandwell Park Farm in West Bromwich this afternoon.

Twenty fire officers and seven staff took more than an hour to pull the animal to safety using ropes, straps, sheets and winches.

Crews were called to the farm at around 12.20pm after King, a black shire horse who is around 25 years old, slipped down the bank.

He had no visible signs of injury but was due to be checked out by a vet this afternoon.

Chris Moore, countryside officer for Sandwell Valley, said: “The horse slipped down the grass bank and got himself stuck in the mud.”

According to firefighters King, who belongs to the farm, appeared to be to showing some signs of distress but was being calmed down by park staff.

Acting watch commander Neil Bennett from West Bromwich Fire Station said the rescue had been a “great effort” by all those involved.

“It was in a little bit of distress but the Sandwell Valley park staff were talking to it and calming it down. It was a concerted effort by all.”