PONIES have been rescued on several occasions after escaping and becoming stranded in the River Lea.

Firefighters were called at midday last Thursday to rescue a pony stuck in two-metre deep water in an aqueduct near Tottenham Hale.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said it was the second incident in the last two weeks of ponies owned by a family in Peacock Road, Chingford, escaping and being rescued from the river.

She said: "An animal collection officer went out to help with the horse and it was eventually rescued by firefighters.

"They waited while it was fetched by the owners and I am sure they were given advice on stopping this from happening again."

The owner of the ponies declined to comment.