A COASTGUARD team from Flint has helped rescue two horses which became trapped in beach mud.

On Saturday morning Flint Coastguard Rescue Team was sent by UK Coastguard along with Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team to two horses stuck in the mud near to Leasowe Bay, on the Wirral.

A spokesman for the Flint coastguard team said: "On arrival, one of the horses luckily managed to free itself and was moved to stable ground with its rider.

"The other horse was stuck in soft deep mud and unable to free itself. Rescue teams consisting of Coastguard Mud Rescue Technicians, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters and Hoylake Hovercraft Crew commenced an extremely complicated rescue.

"Attempts by the horse to free itself on a number of occasions unfortunately failed and the horse become tired and exhausted. Platforms from the Hovercraft along with Coastguard and Fire Service inflatable sleds were utilised as a stable working area for rescuers.

"The attendance of a vet was requested to offer specialist advice and was able to sedate the horse to make it more stable and comfortable to allow rescuers to safely perform a rescue."

He added: "The horse was finally freed from the mud and stabilised however the rescue did not end there.

"The horse had to be recovered to stable ground to prevent it from becoming stuck again. The horse was placed on inflatable sleds and towed with the assistance of RNLI Wirral Lifeguards four-by-four vehicle.

"Following the recovery of the horse, he was thankfully placed into an awaiting horse box and taken for precautionary checks.

"A number of people were checked over by North West Ambulance Service Paramedics for minor injuries and the affects of the cold.

"We are gladly informed that after a few days rest, both horses should make a full recovery.

"This was an extremely rare and complex rescue and all agencies pulled to together utilising a range of skills, knowledge and equipment from each agency, all of which contributed to the successful rescue and happy outcome."

Merseyside Police also attended the incident.