Animal rescues by Sussex firefighters have cost more than £350,000 in three years.

Dozens of creatures have been saved by fire crews across the county.

Among the calls received by East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services have been to a cat stuck up a wall, a horse trapped in a thorn bush and a dog choking on its lead.

Animal rescue specialists say animal rescues can be one of the most dangerous aspects of their job - much more than simply rescuing a cat from a tree.

Last month a horse had to be pulled from a swimming pool after it fell at Bucks Green, near Horsham.

Figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act reveal West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to 440 animal rescues in the past three years at an estimated cost of £71,000.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spent almost £300,000 attending 520 animal incidents.

Crews saved species ranging from horses and cows to rabbits, guinea pigs, a hedgehog and even a hamster trapped under a bath.

Fire services can charge for rescues but it is believed this is never done and the brigades pick up the bill themselves.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “The RSPCA values the help of the fire brigade when carrying out animal rescues and their technical and practical expertise has saved the life of many animals across the county.”