A GREYHOUND had to be rescued by an air ambulance and fire crews after falling into a canal at Burrs Country Park.

Two dogs became stuck in the side of the canal at about 12.50pm on October 18, and the fire service received reports that a woman was also trapped after struggling while trying to rescue them.

The woman, in her 30s, had jumped in and managed to remove a dalmatian cross with the help of passers-by, however she failed to extricate her other dog, a greyhound.

When crews arrived at the scene, they found the woman had returned to dry land and freed the second dog.

The greyhound was stuck between the canal and a number of bushes containing nettles, and firefighters cleared the bushes to free the dog.

Fire crews from Bury, Bolton North and Eccles stations were called, as well as an air ambulance and a water incident unit from Heywood fire station A fire service spokeman said the dog was marooned on the banking of the canal, and that crews did not need to use ropes or any other equipment to rescue it.

An air ambulance landed in grassland used for camping at last weekend's Homegrown Folk Festival, however there were no campers on site.

The woman and the two dogs were unhurt, and did not require medical attention.

Stan Lingard, a firefighter at Bury station who attended the scene, advised others against taking similar action in this type of situation.

He said: “You shouldn’t put yourself at risk. If you could reach the dog with somthing or grab it then fine, but you shouldn’t put yourself in a position where you are going to fall in.

“There is no problem with ringing the fire service, we will come and deal with the situation.

"if you are on your own do not interfere unless there is somebody walking past to help.”