A DELIGHTED family have been reunited with their missing pet dog after a dramatic rescue from a quarry face.

A specialist team abseiled down the quarry with an animal rope sling to rescue border collie Meg after she was spotted on a rock ledge three days after going missing from her Cliviger home.

And the rescue was an added bonus for Meg's owner Eric Wrathall, who has looked after her since the death of his brother Graham, 18 months ago.

Nine year-old working dog Meg went missing from the family's home on Burnley Road during a thunderstorm last Friday.

Eric, 48, who lives with wife Kathryn, 47, and sons Christopher 18, and Matthew 15, had just returned from walking Meg and had left her outside the house to dry off when she disappeared.

Eric said: "There was a clap of thunder and that was the last I saw of her."

Frantic with worry Eric, a keen runner who often takes Meg on runs with him, drove round on Friday night trying to find her.

He said: "On Saturday I rang around farmers to see if they had seen her. By Sunday I was phoning the RSPCA and the police and I was starting the fear the worst. I honestly did not think I was going to see her again."

But Eric received a phone call from farmer Ernie Shorrocks on Monday saying a dog had been found at Shanks Waste Services at Deer Play Landfill Site.

Meg was stuck on a ledge about 50ft down the quarry. As the rescue unfolded the couple stayed in an office in case she recognised them and tried to free herself.

Nelson station officer Nick Isherwood was called to the scene about 6pm and called the eight-strong rope rescue team from St Annes saved Meg at about 8pm. Eric added: "When we saw Meg we were over the moon. She was a bit dehydrated and hungry but she is now back on her big comfy mat at home and is fine.

"I can't make out if she was happy to see us or wondering what all the fuss was about.

"Shane Harrison, the team at Shanks and the fire brigade were absolutely brilliant. They were superb."

Station officer Isherwood, said: "It was clearly a job for the rope rescue team as they are all very highly trained specialists.

"Everyone pulled together to help and the management at the site were on standby to get the area lit up if it got too dark.

"We were just pleased to be able to reunite Eric and Meg."

Mr Harrison, site manager at Shanks, alerted the emergency services after a member off his team noticed the dog at about 5.15pm.

He said: "It was a total team effort and was made to look easier then it was. Full credit must go to my team for spotting the dog. It was a joyous occasion."