IT WAS a tail with a happy ending when a Jack Russell was rescued from a sewer by firefighters after a passer-by heard its faint barking.

The dog had become trapped 20ft beneath the surface of Hyndburn Road, Accrington. It is believed it had crawled into the sewer through an open storm drain and then been unable to get out.

Luckily, it was heard barking through a drain lid and officers were called out to rescue it.

Watch manager Chris Fogarty said: “We didn’t have details of any owner, but luckily one of our officers managed to get it out. He didn’t have to enter the sewer system. he just used breathing apparatus to protect his face and we managed to get it to go into his arms.”

Once the dog was rescued it was taken to the Aspen Valley Kennels, Oswaldtwistle for a check-up to make sure it had suffered no serious injury.

Gordon Allen of the kennels said: “The dog was in good health and had no serious problems. It was microchipped, but unfortunately the details were out of date as the owner had moved house and the phone number given did not work.

“Luckily a man phoned up for his dog and we were able to reunite them. We told him to make sure he got it re-chipped.”