FIREFIGHTERS and a farmer launched a major operation to rescue two horses, including one bought as a Christmas present, after they fell into an eight-feet deep slurry pit.

It took them more than an hour to free the frightened animals, which were stuck chest deep in the slurry at the Royle Equestrian centre, Adamson's Farm, Royle Road, Burnley.

The horses, Cindy and Panda, were sedated by a vet before being hauled free from the pit by farmer David Heap using a four-wheel drive tractor loader.

Cindy, a 16.2 hh mare, is owned by Elizabeth Lowe of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, who bought 12 hh Panda, as a Christmas present for her granddaughter, four-year-old Elizabeth Brew. Eliazbeth Lowe was at the centre at the time of the rescue. She said: "It was very distressing. I just had to go into the house out of the way."

More than 30 horses are stabled at the livery yard. Mr Heap said: "We turned quite a lot of them out to exercise. Some were going in from the other paddock and somehow a gate had not been secured properly.

"The two horses followed them and instead of going into the yard they went down another track and decided to trot along the midden which was covered in snow. Of course, they sank."

The horses were spotted by Jane Ball of Lower Manor Lane, Burnley, who rang for the fire brigade while David rang for the vet, Ron Thompson.

Fire and rescue service station officer Nigel Clark said: "The horses had somehow wandered in and fallen 8ft into the slurry, which was up to their bellies. They were well and truly stuck."

After the larger horse was tranquillised, the firefighters managed to get slings under it and after evening out the slope with bales of hay and with the help of a tractor managed to pull the animal clear.

Mr Clark said: "The second one was slightly smaller and after digging out some of the slurry to get the straps through. we were able to manhandle it out. It had also been tranquillised by the vet.

"As far as I could tell both horses seemed to be OK. They both stood up and were led away."

Fire crews from both Burnley and Nelson went to the farm shortly before 4.30pm on Saturday.

Mr Clark added: "It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to get them free not as long as we first expected. But it was a slippy and a smelly job."

Mr Heap added: "They both walked away quite happily into the shower and were then dried and warmed up in the solarium.

"Cindy had a slight cut or graze to the front left leg. Panda trotted off and continued to eat hay in the stable. Both are now fit and happy."