FIREFIGHTERS from across East Lancashire proved to be good neighbours to several distraught animals over the weekend.

One fire chief joked Saturday was “unofficial animal rescue day” after crews stepped in to help several trapped or stranded beasts.

A horse unable to climb to its feet in a Tockholes stables, in Chapels Lane, was hoisted using specialist kit on Friday, while on the same day, a cat that had been stuck on a high ledge in Finsley Gate, Burnley, was finally rescued after a three-day ordeal.

Then on Saturday, a deer was forced to tread water because it could not climb out the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Burnley, but was saved by crews.

A Lancashire Fire And Rescue Service spokesman, describing the incident in Tockholes, said: “A horse had fallen in its stable and, at the recommendation of a vet called to the incident, the assistance of firefighters was requested to get it to its feet and out of the stable.

“Two fire engines and crews from Blackburn and Darwen attended and, additionally, Urban Search and Rescue colleagues from Bamber Bridge.”

Crews used two winches, a bi-pod crane arrangement, large animal rescue kit, ropes and slings to rescue the horse, which was later pictured on its feet.

In Finsley Gate, firefighters pitched a ladder for an RSPCA officer to rescue the stranded cat.

And water rescue specialists were called out from Nelson to the canal in Burnley, off Trafalgar Street, at around 6.55am.

Wearing drysuits, they entered the water and helped the adult deer out the water before releasing it on the bank where it ran off back into woodland.

A spokesman said: “It was swimming across but it could not get out because of the height of the banks .”