Lucky Labrador Calie was back home safe and sound last night after miraculously surviving a 200 ft plunge down a mountainside.

The five-year-old pet was scrambling to the summit of England's third highest mountain with its owner's boyfriend when she lost her footing and plunged over the edge.

Chris Batterby, 24, watched in horror as Calie fell from Striding Edge on Helvellyn in the Lake District and came to a stop at the edge of Red Tarn 200 ft below.

Chris a building surveyor from York, ran down a sheer slope to find the black Labrador still conscious and called a local rescue team who stretchered her down the mountain.

The dog was taken to a local vet and treated for shock but otherwise had very few injuries.

Chris, who had taken 25-year-old Jessica McMichael's dog on the walk on Wednesday, said: "Jessica was at work in Ambleside so because it was such a beautiful day I decided to take Calie up Helvellyn.

"She was just behind me on the narrow section of Striding Edge when she got spooked by some people passing by. She can be quite scatty and her rear end slipped over the edge and I just saw her fall to the bottom.

"When I got to the bottom she was fully conscious and even tried to start climbing back up."

Chris, who was staying with Jessica at her parent's home in Ambleside, then took Calie, who weighs four stones, to the vets where she was treated for cuts, bruising and shock.

"The vet said she was remarkably well. We are giving her painkillers and for the past day she has been flaked out recovering.

"I don't think I will be taking her up Striding Edge again but I hope to still take her out on walks again around the Lake District."