THE fire brigade had to perform an unusual rescue, as reported in the Malvern Gazette 25 years ago.

They were called out to a house in Suckley to rescue a pony that had fallen in a private swimming pool.

After eight-year-old Susie fell in, the family coaxed her to the shallow end and kept her there by feeding her biscuits until the fire brigade arrived.

They pumped the pool dry before building a ramp of hay bales and boards the pony could climb out on. Susie suffered no ill-effects, but was kept warm for a few days to ensure she did not catch a chill.