A WEEK-OLD foal was rescued from the River Tees by firefighters yesterday, 24 hours after it fell in at the same spot.

The foal, clearly unsteady on its feet, was rescued when it fell into the river near Stockton, Teesside.

A fire crew from Thornaby was called to rescue the foal after it left other horses near Preston Hall Museum to explore the riverbank.

It was the same crew that, 24 hours earlier, had been called to rescue it from the water.

One of the firefighters said: "It was the same foal at the same spot, we could not believe it. Animals are usually quite clever and learn from their mistakes, but not this one. It is a very strange thing to have to do again. It will probably happen tomorrow."

On both occasions, crews used a boat to reach the foal, which was then pushed back on the bank.