Fire crews came to the rescue of a panic-stricken couple when they discovered their dog was trapped - in an underground drainpipe.

Chimney sweep rods, thermal imaging cameras and special lighting were used to free the terrified terrier after a tense three-hour rescue at a home in Great Bardfield.

The two-year-old dog, called Pip, became lodged more than 2.5m underground after muscling past mud, stones and leaves in pursuit of a rabbit.

She managed to crawl 20ft into the pipe - 8.5 ins in diameter - before becoming wedged fast.

Sarah Tyrell, of Bluegate Hall Farm, in Braintree Road, feared the worst when she heard muffled barking.

"My husband had taken Pip for a walk and we couldn't understand why she disappeared. We tried calling her but it was no good. Our domestic torch wasn't powerful enough, either, so we decided to call the fire brigade.

"We were very concerned. I knew they would get her out but I wasn't sure how. Thankfully, Pip's made a full recovery and is already back to her old tricks."

Darren Hockley, from Wethersfield fire and rescue, said chimney rods were used to make it easier for Pip to wriggle backwards towards them.

He added: "We were just as concerned as we would be if a child had been trapped. A life is a life. It was a very gradual process - a bit like a game of cat and mouse because we were trying to coax her out. Eventually we were able to grab her tail.

"She was shivering and looked very frightened. It was a relief for everyone.

"If we had to, we would have got her out by digging but that was our worst-case scenario."

Most relieved at Sunday's rescue were the Tyrell's children - Joshua, eight, and Verity, six - who were delighted to see Pip back.

Escaping a sticky situation - Pip with Joshua and Verity Tyrell

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