MOLLY the Jack Russell was back in her owner's arms today after surviving a night at the bottom of a water-logged clay pit.

Mischievous Molly escaped from her home in Plumpton and headed for nearby woods.

But she came a cropper when she plunged 20ft into the pit, ending up wedged just inches above a lake.

The terrified brown-and-white bitch spent the night in the pit before her whimpers alerted a group of walkers.

They made their way to the nearest phone and alerted a dog warden and the fire brigade, and a major rescue operation was put into effect.

Warden Sarah Marsh said: "As soon as we got the call we dashed to the area and discovered the pit in private land.

"It had very steep sides, and when we stepped near the edge the ground crumbled away.

"We knew we couldn't reach the dog so the firefighters took over."

The crew abandoned their vehicle at a muddy track behind the farm and made their way on foot to the rescue site.

Shivering

A ladder was lowered into the pit until it was resting against the rocky edge.

One fireman tied a sturdy rope around his waist and his colleagues took the strain as he descended into the pit.

Lumps of clay and rock were crashing down on them both but the firefighter grabbed Molly and lifted her to safety.

Sarah said: "She must has been very scared by all the fuss because she tried to run off. We held her tight and soon she calmed down, but was shivering violently.

"We brushed big clumps of mud out of her eyes and I spent ages picking earth worms from her coat. She looked very tired and could barely open her eyes.

"I can't imagine she slept a wink because the ledge she was wedged on was so small."

Sarah and her colleague Emma Allen have never performed a joint rescue with the fire brigade before.

Sarah said: "I've been doing the job nine years and I've spent many hours chasing dogs, but never fetching them out of deep holes. I'm just happy she is safe and well.

The warden used Molly's tag to discover the name and phone number of her owners, Major Richard and Norma Muirhead, who lived only five minutes away in Plumpton Lane.

Sarah said: "When I told Mrs Muirhead that we had found Molly she just burst into tears.

"They had been looking for her all night and day and they sounded very relieved to hear that she was safe."

Major Muirhead was reunited with Molly less than an hour after the rescue.

He said: "She's a terrible singer but I missed the sound of her horrendous howls. I like to join in every now and again so she knows what it sounds like."

After some tender strokes and a big hug Major Muirhead whistled and Molly's half sister, Pippin, came bounding out of the car.

The two dogs licked each others noses as Major Muirhead explained how much Pippin had missed her sister.

The Major and his wife adopted the two dogs from their son Alexander, who moved to London last year.

"They're a lovely couple of characters and I have to admit we were very worried when Molly disappeared."

"It's not until they go missing that you realise how much you like the little devils."

Although tired and muddy, Molly suffered no serious injuries, but was in need of a good wash.

Major Muirhead said: "I'll be taking her straight home for a hot bath and a big bowl of food.

"She's not the most adventurous dog in the world so I suspect the last 24 hours have been a real shock for her.

"I'm very thankful to every one who helped save her life."

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