FIREFIGHTERS were today battling to free three horses and a groom trapped inside a jack-knifed horse box on the North York Moors.

Crews from Malton and Pickering were called out to the accident, which happened on a minor road between Hartoft and Cropton near Pickering at 8.30am.

A fire service spokeswoman said two sets of cutting equipment were being used to cut the woman groom and the animals free from the vehicle, which was lying on its side.

Police said a vet was called to the scene to sedate the horses.