Horses trapped by flood on Sully Moors, near Barry

A rescue operation is under way to try and save 17 horses, five of them foals, which are trapped by floods in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The animals have climbed onto a disused railway embankment Sully Moors, near Barry, to escape the water which is said to be waist deep in places.

Heavy rainfall has fallen in the area over the last few days.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are using a boat and inflatables to try and reach the animals.

They have sent hay to the horses in a dinghy and a vet sent by the council has also reached the horses to check on their welfare.

South Wales Police said the horses were stranded and they were planning to move them to a neighbouring field with the help of the fire service.

The field where the horses are is said to be water-logged

They said that the RSPCA was dealing with the incident.

Some of the horses are said to be due to foal soon.

A person living nearby, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "The 17 horses are on a disused railway embankment to escape the flooding in the field.

"The floods have started to recede, but it is still too deep for the horses.

"There is a six-week-old foal among them."