FIREFIGHTERS who helped to rescue a collapsed horse have received a commendation from the RSPCA for their efforts.

Rodders, aged eight, had fallen on the ground of his stable near Conifer Cottage, in Smith's Road, Moses Gate, after suffering back problems and was unable to drag himself back up on to his feet.

But the hard work of the crews from Farnworth and Crompton Way stations meant that the horse was saved with the help of special machinery called a moffat mounty.

The presentation of a framed certificate took place at Farnworth station, on Albert Road, by the Honorary Chairman of the Bolton branch of the RSPCA Peter Evans.

Rachel Chapman, who has owned Rodders since he was a baby, said: "The crews were caring, efficient and absolutely 110 per cent determined to get Rodders back on his feet. If he had stayed on the floor much longer I would have had no choice but to have had him put down.

"This would have been an absolutely devastating decision to make as he is part of my family and to lose him would have given me immeasurable grief."

Vet Andy Melling, called for the help of the firefighters, who spent two hours rescuing the horse in January.

Rodders had a harness attached to him and after being pulled gradually by the machine, was soon back on his feet.

The team had to drag Rodders from his stable, across ten feet of concrete and down two steps, resulting only in a tiny scratch on his fetlock.