A LIFE size mechanical horse named Murphy was rescued by firefighters, including some from Pershore, Evesham and Droitwich, in a demonstration of new skills learnt at a tailor made course held at Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell Centre.

The 200kg mannequin horse, with moveable limbs, cost £7,500 and was sponsored by National Grid, who wanted to give back to the countryside.

The new courses and Murphy have allowed the fire service two teams of part-time firefighters to become AR2 Animal Rescue Responders, and they have already put their training to good use.

Hereford and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander Keith Chance said: “The crew were called to a pony and trap that had gone into the canal with two riders in the trap, they were able to go into the canal and release the trap and rescue the pony using the equipment they have demonstrated here.

"We couldn’t have done the training without the mechanical horse and the facilities there are at the college.”