A gang of horses escaped and had to be rounded up by firefighters today.

The beasts were running wild in Netherfield Road, near Battle, at about 10.50am, an East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said.

She said: “A member of the public called the police to say there was a horse stuck in a hedge.

“The police called the fire service and we attended.

“There were several horses loose on the road. We had to close the road and lead the horses to safety.

“Some members of the public rounded them up too.

“It was an escape attempt.”