A RESCUE operation was launched to find a drunk man who said he was lost in woodland and followed a horse to find his way home.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team was called by Cleveland Police at 6am this morning (Tuesday, August 21) to help search for a man who was 'worse for wear' and lost in Guisborough woods.

The man was eventually located near his home and had apparently injured his ankle.

A dozen volunteers were involved in the search and a post on the Rescue Team's facebook page said: "The male was eventually located having used a somewhat dubious navigation method including following a horse and returned home!

"He was visited by team members and by North East Ambulance Service for a check over.

"12 volunteer team members plus more on standby for approximately two hours."