FIREFIGHTERS were called to a report of a horse having fallen in a horsebox and become wedged inside it in Griffiths Road  on the way to the Cheshire Show.

On arrival to the scene at around 8.15am this morning, officers discovered that the six-foot horse, called Big Al, had gotten back onto his feet.

Firefighters made the horsebox safe so that he could be transported to a nearby livery, where a vet checked him over.

Crews, including the large animal rescue unit from Lymm, assisted the vet with the care of the horse. Police were in attendance to manage traffic.

Big Al is believed to have only suffered minor injuries during the incident.

The horse's owner Cheryl Shaw called for another horsebox and they headed home.

They were intending to go to the Cheshire Show but Big Al was forced to miss it due to his ordeal.

Cheryl, 36, from Widnes, said: "Big Al is now back out on the field. He suffered only superficial cuts but unfortunately we had to miss the Cheshire Show.

"I am a bit disappointed to have missed the show but I am just relieved that Big Al is ok.

"I can't thank the firefighters and the large animal rescue unit enough for all their help. They were absolutely brilliant.

"They calmed to situation down, carried out a risk assessment and helped to get us to the livery."