THERE were no long faces for Wem residents who received an equine surprise on Wednesday after a horsebox broke down on their road.

Horse owner Natalie Williams was driving through Wem when she took a wrong turn and ended up in Oak Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.

To compound her issues her horsebox then broke down, leaving her stranded on the residential road in the baking heat with her horse, Lady Empire.

Fortunately for Natalie, the residents of Oak Avenue and Isherwoods Way sprung to her rescue, providing some food and water for Lady Empire, who also took a trip into some residents' gardens.

Despite the strange afternoon far Lady Empire, Natalie says she was unfazed by the experience and thanked the residents for their help.

"I want to say a massive thank you to the amazing people of Wem who helped me today when my horsebox broke down," said Natalie.

"I took a wrong turn, ended up on a housing estate and my gearbox went.

"I totally panicked, being alone with no idea where I was and having my horse onboard with me in today's heat was awful.

"So many people from the community helped us.

"My horse was given carrots by children, someone brought water out for her and even a local mechanic offered to have a look at the box.

"In particular a big thank you to the lady and her young son who had my horse in their garden at one point.

"They stayed with us the whole time, while our box was recovered by the breakdown people and until another box arrived to take my horse back home.

"She is now safe and well in her stable and doesn't seem bothered by the strange afternoon she has had.

"You're all amazing – I will remember today for a very long time."