FIREFIGHTERS had to be called in to rescue a donkey stuck up to its waist in the mud.

Crews from the New Forest along with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's animal rescue specialists were called to the incident at a field in Sway.

Twenty-five-year-old donkey Cookie had to be dug out by rescuers using spades to release the suction around his legs, then they put props under his body and lifted him out using straps.

The owners had checked on the animals in the early evening and they had been fine but when they checked on them this morning they found Cookie stuck in a boggy part of the field and were unable to free him.

Animal rescue specialist at Lyndhurst Adrian Knight, who attended, said, though cold, Cookie had remained calm throughout and had not needed to be sedated.

Once freed he was given a warm shower by hoses from the fire truck to clean off the mud and wrapped in a blanket until the vet arrived, but Mr Knight said he did not appear to be the worse for his experience and appeared uninjured and was able to be walked out of the field.

Cookie was one of four adult donkeys and three foals that live in the fields are owned by the nearby house - they were all fine.

The three foals are trained to provide respite aid for children while the adults are thought to be pets - all are rescued animals taken in by the family.