Firefighters rescue couple and their dog from River Ribble during torrential downpour

Fire crews were mobilised after two people and a dog were spotted in the river, near the Capitol Centre in Preston, at around 4pm yesterday.

Five fire engines were dispatched to the scene, from Preston, Penwortham, Nelson and Darwen, as well as the water incident team.

The rescue operation took 30 minutes, with firefighters donning wet suits to enter the choppy tidal waters.

Fire crews swiftly located the distressed couple, who had managed to keep hold of their dog, before being pulled out of the water.

The couple were treated by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) at the scene as a precaution, but did not require hospital treatment.

A spokesperson for NWAS said: "We were called to the River Ribble at around 4.10pm yesterday.

"Two ambulances attended and provided precautionary treatment to two patients at the scene.

"Both patients did not require hospital treatment."

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have not confirmed how the dog walkers became stranded in the river.