A JACK Russell terrier which became trapped beneath two finely balanced boulders was freed after a delicate rescue by firefighters.

Unable to tell which way the rocks would move, it took up to four hours to rescue Bracken, which had chased a rabbit into the rubble.

And when finally rescued, it had to be prevented from trying to get down the same hole in pursuit of its quarry.

Thankful owner John Myers, of Quarrington Hill, County Durham, said the terrier had been out walking with his son, Stephen, 15, at a disused quarry when it chased a rabbit under rocks.

He said: "My son ran two miles to alert me. When I got there, I could touch him, but his head was stuck fast between two boulders weighing tonnes.

Part-time firefighters from Wheatley Hill attended the scene.

Divisional Officer Dave Turnbull said: "The rocks were precarious, so we were loath to just rush in. They systematically moved the boulders, it was a bit like playing Kerplunk. That is why it took so long.

"They were all part-time personnel, but what they did was in the true spirit and profession of the fire service.

"All the personnel are trained with cutting and lifting gear, but that is usually put into practice with road traffic accidents.

"This, however, was one of the humanitarian services we very rarely come across and fire crews need to be Jack-of-all-trades.

"We get a lot of dogs down holes and crevices, but usually nothing like this.

"My Myers was very happy with what we did. The look on his face when the dog came out was worth a million dollars. It was nice to have that."