The next, cute Cocker Spaniel Poppy had plunged 20ft down a drain. When her owners ran to the drain, they feared the worst. There was no sight or sound of their treasured pet.

But 30 minutes later, following a 999 call, firefighters carried Poppy to safety, completely unscathed.

Today, owners Dr Ash Patel and his partner, Pam Grogan, thanked the team from green watch at Preston fire station for saving their pet who turns five-years-old this week.

Dr Patel, 49, of The Drive in Fulwood, Preston, said: "The fire brigade was absolutely fantastic. We're just so thankful. I can't speak highly enough of them.

"It must have taken them 15 or 20 minutes to take the cover off. It seemed like an age. We thought she'd drowned."

The drama unfolded when the couple were walking Poppy across open space close to their home, shortly before midday on Sunday.

Dr Patel, a GP based in Deepdale, believes rainwater had dislodged the manhole cover and caused a section of earth to collapse.

He said: "She was running after her ball and she just disappeared. We just saw her legs and there was a massive splash.

"She must have fallen straight into the water, which must have cushioned her fall a little bit.

"We heard her splash around in the water then it just went deathly quiet and she wouldn't respond to us calling for her.

"We didn't know what was underneath the drain but, thankfully, there was a ledge which she managed to perch on.

"As soon as they got her out she was straight after her ball again as if nothing had happened!

"The worst thing about it was she needed a bath, which she doesn't enjoy."

Dr Patel has reported the dangerous drain to a local councillor for attention.

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