Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service responded to the large animal rescue incident in Denchworth on Friday, at about 6.30pm.

A horse called Max had become stuck in ‘deep mud in a gully’ and was ‘completely exhausted’ when the fire crews reached him.

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Fire engines from Abingdon, Bampton and Wantage, along with Kidlington Fire Station’s specialist rescue tender and an incident support officer, worked with a local vet on the scene.

Specialist equipment was used to carefully free the struggling horse and he was safely recovered.

Max was stuck in deep mud in a gully before he was rescued (Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue)

A statement from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue said: “Yesterday evening, we responded to a large animal rescue incident in Denchworth.

“Max the horse had unfortunately become stuck in deep mud in a gully and was completely exhausted.

“Working alongside a local vet, our dedicated crews and specialist teams used specialist equipment to carefully free Max from the gully.

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“We are pleased to report that the operation was a success and Max is now back on his feet.

“Well done to all involved for their teamwork and expertise.”

Max was pictured upright, though a little mucky, on the scene of the rescue incident, with his owner and fire crews taking care of the horse after his lucky escape.

The Story Museum will open the Mystery Academy: School for Young Detectives on Saturday, July 18.

The exhibition will immerse visitors in a fictional detective boarding school, complete with a missing head teacher—Christie Moyo.

The experience is built around an original story by award-winning author Sharna Jackson.

Designed by the museum’s Story Curators, a group of young people aged 12 to 16 who work with the museum’s production team, the exhibition combines hands-on detective work with literary exploration.

Author Sharna Jackson said: “It’s been an honour to collaborate with the Story Curators on Mystery Academy – it’s been such a collaborative, imaginative, and fun process.

“Together we’ve created an experience where visitors arrive for a seemingly normal school open day, then quickly find themselves cast as detectives.”

Visitors can follow clues, solve puzzles and explore themed rooms including a forensics lab and a library.

They can even discover a hidden door in a bookcase.

Conrad Bodman, CEO of The Story Museum, said: “We are delighted to be opening this stunning new interactive exhibition, which celebrates the history and rich variety of the detective genre.

“Young people are at the heart of our collections and exhibitions, so who better to ask to design our next exhibition than the young designers of the future? Our Story Curators, whose curiosity, energy and talent has filled a brand-new exhibition that young detective fiction fans will love; it will also no doubt enthuse and entertain those new to the genre, and those who simply love great stories.”

Visitors will have a chance to explore the history of the detective genre, with some of their favourite characters and authors; from the classics like Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Morse, to contemporary authors such Robin Stevens’ Murder Most Unladylike and Mini Grey’s Hermelin and Mark Haddon’s Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Author Robin Stevens has also provided additional creative consultation on the exhibition.

He said: “I’m so delighted that my characters and I will be part of the upcoming Mysteries exhibition. The Story Museum is such a special place, and one I’ve loved for years.

“I’m delighted that they’re putting the mystery genre front and centre of this new exhibition.

“I know this will spark so many readers’ imaginations, and allow children to see themselves as the brave, smart, thoughtful detectives they all are.”

The exhibition will also display historical detective tools, including early fingerprint kits and a camera hidden in a waistcoat.

One shopper has come forward to describe the growing issue of what he says are school-age youngsters meeting in the town centre and ‘intimidating’ the public.

It comes after the most recent incident of anti-social behaviour occurred on Monday, April 13, when two individuals broke into the roof of the Abingdon Eye Centre in Bury Street.

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Police responded to reports of the break-in, where eyewitnesses said damage was caused to the white wooden access door onto the roof, but the individuals had gone by the time they arrived.

The Bury Street precinct in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Charles, who did not want to share his surname, witnessed the break-in from Abingdon Library and said the roof is frequently a target of ‘mischief’.

“Steel gates and fencing was put in about two years ago in response to the intrusions, but it would appear this has been circumvented by teenagers who seem to think its cool to go up onto the roof and cause mischief,” he said.

“The shopping centre has suffered for years as a point where teenagers congregate with the intention of engaging in annoying and insulting behaviour.

“In the past few years gangs have congregated on scooters and bikes, alarming and distressing passersby with insulting yelled comments and intimidating behaviour, even throwing things.

“Some shoppers are too scared now to go into town, particularly in the afternoons. ”

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A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We received a report at around 2.40pm on Monday, 13 April, that two individuals were on the roof of the Abingdon Eye Centre in Bury Street.

“Officers attended the scene, but were unable to locate anyone on the roof.

“Anyone who witnesses antisocial behaviour is encouraged to report it to us.

“Please call 999 in an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life, 101 for non-emergencies, or report online via our website.”