A Chelmsford woman has blamed Essex County Council for the horse’s death

Mrs Allen, who lives in Broomfield, Essex, said it took three firefighters to lift her horse’s body out.

“There was no manhole cover on it and to this day there still isn’t a cover that fits on it,” says the 54-year-old.

“They say it’s not their responsibility because she escaped from her field and wandered on land.

“But if it’s not their problem, why did they come out and put bollards around it and not even put the cover on properly?”