A YORKSHIRE terrier who fell nearly 100ft amazed rescuers when he walked away without a scratch.

One-year-old Bailey survived two dramatic falls at Crime Rigg Quarry, Sherburn Hill, near Durham. He first fell 25ft on to a ledge and then plunged a further 70ft.

Bailey's near-death adventure began late afternoon on Thursday when he disappeared from the backyard of his owner Claire Hollins' home in Sherburn Hill.

The terrier was nowhere to be seen and his vanishing act prompted a frantic search by Claire and her six-year-old daughter Victoria.

"Someone told us they had seen a small dog near the quarry, so I got the car out and drove down there," said Claire.

When she arrived she was advised to stay in her car because Bailey had fallen on to a ledge and fire officers, who had been called to the scene by quarry manager Jeff Turnbull, feared he might fall to the quarry floor.

Anxious that her daughter did not become distressed at Bailey's plight, Claire drove home and her mother Katherine Allott rushed to the quarry.

A rope rescue team from Hebburn, South Tyneside, was called in. But as the team began to feed a line down to the trembling terrier, he toppled off the ledge and plummeted 70ft to the quarry floor.

A number of fire officers had already gone to the foot of the bottom and feared the worst when they saw Bailey hurtling down from the ledge.

"They were amazed when the little dog just got on his feet and walked towards them," said Mr Turnbull.

Back home, Bailey had nothing more to show for his fall than a slight limp.

Claire said: "We certainly won't let him out of our sight from now on we are just so grateful he survived such an horrendous fall. It is a big thank-you to everyone for their rescue attempts.