A DOG has been dramatically rescued after it fell 40 feet down a cliff and became trapped at the bottom of a riverbank.

The incident unfolded when a man was walking close to Harvard Road in Bury and came across a tan Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog which ran off when she saw his Labrador.

He saw the dog tumble down the cliff - a drop of about 40 feet - and could see it become stranded in the brambles below on the side of the river bank.

The man could not see the dog’s owner around so alerted the RSPCA and Inspector Angela Paxton-Taylor was sent to the scene around lunchtime on Monday (June 14).

Angela walked about a mile before she located the terrified dog but due to the terrain was unable to access her, so went to the other side of the river for a better view.

From there she could see the dog was stuck on the bank about four feet above the river.

She realised she would need the help of Greater Manchester Fire Service and called them for their help and they rushed to the scene.

One firefighter clambered down the cliff top using a rope to try and rescue the dog but she became distressed so it was decided to use the water rescue team instead.

The team managed to get over the river and safely coax the dog onto the boat before they took her to Angela who was waiting on the other side of the river.

Angela said: “She seemed a bit snappy at first, but was obviously terrified from her ordeal but as soon as she realised we were there to help she was fine.

“I was able to check her over and remarkably found she had come through the fall unscathed and looked in good health.”

The dog was microchipped and it was found her name was Stella and was aged six, but her owner's details had not been kept up-to-date.

Stella was then taken in by the local dog warden and that evening her owner came forward to claim her.

Angela added: “It appears that she may have escaped from her home and then got herself into trouble - I am just so relieved that she was unscathed as she could easily have suffered broken bones and could have fallen into the river.

“It was a team effort in saving her - I am grateful to the man who spotted her predicament and reported the matter, also to the fire service who were brilliant and to the dog wardens who traced her owner.

“We often call the fire service for their help in instances like this which they use for training purposes so are more than happy to help out.”