Firefighters have been working throughout the afternoon to rescue eight horses stranded in flood water.

Five of the animals have been saved from the water in Chelmer Village Way, near Chelmsford and returned to their owner. But despite the efforts of the crews and RSPCA workers, three remain stuck.

Calls were first made to Essex County Fire & Rescue Service just after noon - with an animal rescue and water rescue vehicles sent out.

Firefighters then worked with the RSPCA to work out a plan to rescue the horses.

At 2.20pm an area of shallow water was found and some of the horses were safely walked out of the water.

Three horses remain stuck as of the last update given at 3.30pm.