FIREfighters were called to save a dog trapped by its collar in an underground culvert.

The Jack Russell cross was found stuck in the dank drain, off Cumberland Terrace, Willington, on Sunday. Her cries were heard by Frank Nutter who lives nearby.

He investigated and found the sodden dog cowering on a ledge several feet below the culvert opening.

Mr Nutter said: "I heard the dog crying and whining so I called the fire brigade. They managed to lift up the concrete covering over the culvert, but they couldn't touch the dog because it was growling, so they had to coax it out.

"It was ringing wet and may have been there all night."

Fire crews from Crook used bolt cutters to cut through the dog's collar and release her.