RELIEVED Kathryne Cubello last night praised rescuers who helped to save her horse from a burning stable block.

Ms Cubello was panic-stricken when fellow horse owner Jen Syer rang her after discovering the blaze at the stables, near Durham.

Both Ms Syer and Ms Cubello stable horses, near Rose Cottage, in Old Quarrington.

While most of the horses were grazing, Ms Cubello's Irish draught cross gelding Oscar and Ms Syer's horse Shadow were trapped inside the burning stables.

Shadow, was led to safety but with thick smoke in the breeze-block building Ms Syer, Geoff Cowen, who lives at Rose Cottage, and friend Nick Walsh could not get Oscar to leave.

Ms Syer said: "Even with Geoff and Nick helping we couldn't move him, so we went to the back wall and started banging to try to frighten him out.

"Fortunately, I think it was the sound of the sirens as the police cars got near that finally did the trick and he started to make his way out."

Oscar was sprayed with cool water and taken to the nearby stables where he was examined by a vet.

Ms Cubello dashed from her home in nearby Coxhoe after the fire broke out on Thursday afternoon.

She said Oscar suffered first degree burns to his coat and mane, with some of the scars potentially permanent.

"Although he's scarred we're told he should be okay when his lungs clear. I can't thank the people of Old Quarrington enough for all the help, particularly, Jen, Geoff, Nick and John."

The stable block, which was severely damaged in the blaze, will have to be demolished and replaced.

Firefighters believe a spark blown in high wind from a waste fire was responsible for starting the blaze.

Fire crews stayed for two hours after the fire was brought under control to ensure it did not re-ignite.