Officers from South Yorkshire Police had a night shift to remember after they were saddled with the responsibility of rescuing a horse wandering in the road at 4am.

Police were called to Swallow Hill Road in the Mapplewell area of Barnsley in the early hours of Thursday morning to reports of a horse loose in the road.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said the horse was brought to safety and is now in a stable condition.

They added: “Police were called at around 4am this morning to reports of a horse loose in Swallow Hill Road.

The horse was found on Swallow Hill Road in Barnsley.

placeholder image — The horse was found on Swallow Hill Road in Barnsley.

“Officers attended the scene and got the horse to safety. The horse is being looked after at a nearby farm whilst officers try and locate its owners.”

South Yorkshire Police Barnsley tweeted: “This chap was found wandering by E group officers. He has been temporarily housed to keep him safe.

"If anyone is missing him in the Mapplewell area please contact 101 quoting incident number 79 17/12/20.”