POLICE are trying to trace the owner of a dog dramatically rescued from a river bank.

Residents in Gisburn Road, Barrowford, called 999 at around 10.50pm on Sunday to report hearing a dog in distress.

Two crews from Nelson Fire Service attended, with dog catcher equipment, including a pole and winch rope, triple extension ladders, and swift water rescue personnel.

A fire service spokesman said: “The Staffordshire- cross was sitting at the side of the river bank and seems to have got away from its owner, gone into the water and been swept downstream.

"We managed to hoist it to safety. It had a collar, but no identification. The police are scanning it for any microchip.”

The rescue was on the river bank behind a row of shops, opposite the White Bear pub.