FIREFIGHTERS using shovels and a lighting rig worked into the night to try and rescue a dog believed to be trapped down a rabbit hole.

Crews from Earby spent three hours in an unsuccessful attempt to find the small Jack Russell-type family pet which disappeared during a walk in fields near the town's youth hostel four days ago.

Its owner, who lives in Clitheroe but who was visiting friends in Earby when the dog ran off, called in the fire brigade as a last resort.

Equipment was brought from Burnley fire station and emergency lights set up as firemen dug away at a series of rabbit holes in a field off Birch Hall Lane.

The search was abandoned after midnight with neither sight nor sound of the animal.

Assistant Divisional Officer Bob Jowett said: "The dog owner and his children were walking in the fields when it appears the dog spotted a rabbit and went after it.

"They didn't actually see it go down a rabbit hole but they said they could hear it whimpering in bushes where there are lots of burrows.

Mr Jowett said he did not know who the owner was or what his dog was called.

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