A HORSE was saved from a 'mare of a situation after neigh-ly drowning in an Erith brook on Thursday (Nov 28).

Fire crews from Erith, Sidcup, Plumstead, Lewisham and Bexley stations rescued the female from the brook near Ray Lamb Way by 12.25pm.

Erith Fire Station Manager Graham Coles said: “We’ve no idea how the mare ended up in the brook but it’s likely that it had been in there all night.

"Thankfully she was finally spotted by a passing truck driver who called the Brigade.

"The water was up to the horse's back and a firefighter got into the brook and put a head harness around it.

"With a bit of coaxing and a gentle pull we got her out of there."

He added: “The horse was tired and cold but ok and we left it with officers from the RSPCA and a local vet.”

London Fire Brigade later tweeted: "We've rescued a horse from a brook near Ray Lamb Way, Erith. She's with @RSPCA_official. It has no name so we're calling her Ray #hadamare"