IT was a case of a tail with a happy ending as a pensioner praised fire services for rescuing her beloved pet pooch after it had been trapped in a drain for several hours.

Gwen Taylor-Jones, of Beacon Close, Boundstone, said she was very relieved to have Zoe, a seven-year-old spaniel cross, back again after an encounter with a freezing cold storm drain.

The cheeky dog had escaped from her owner's front door on Tuesday afternoon, prompting neighbours to contact emergency services after they became aware Zoe was missing.

Hours later, she was heard by young Alex Hallam barking in distress, caught in a narrow underground pipe in Thorn Road.

The pipe was located next to main effluent drain, which fire officers said made recovering her an uncomfortable task, due to the foul smell.

Trevor Buchanan, chief officer at the scene, said Mrs Taylor Jones appeared to be quite distressed, but firemen instructed her to sit down and have a cup of tea while they dealt with the situation.

He said: "There was quite a crowd of children around when we got there. We could hear the dog growling and barking.

"We opened a big manhole cover and one of our lads, Al Naysmith, went down there and shone the torch around and could see the dog's tail - she was about 100 metres down the nin- inch pipe which she had become stuck in.

"We were there for an hour-and-a-half and were getting worried as the dog was quite elderly- it was a long time for her to be down there.

"It is quite unusual for a dog to be so far inside a pipe like that. She was probably chasing after a rat.

"Al was able to coax her to walk backwards down the pipe, which was quite impressive as dogs don't like walking backwards!"

Mrs Taylor Jones said: "Neighbours rang the RSPCA, but they said they couldn't come for an hour-and-a-half, so we phoned the fire brigade, who were able to come and get her.

"I have had Zoe for six years now and as I live on my own, I rely on her for company. I am very grateful she has been found.

"The fire service did an excellent job, I think they deserve some kudos. I offered them some money, but they would not take it and told me to give it to the RSPCA."

A spokeman for the fire brigade added that the force performs rescue of animals as a non chargeable part of its duties if it is believed pets are in danger of dying.

He said they had saved many pets and other animals in recent times, including a horse two weeks ago which was trapped in the River Wey.

Pictured right: Rescued Zoe and her young saviour Alex Hallam. (FD10-159-03)