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This is the moment a brave RSPCA inspector scrambled over precariously thin ice to save a dog which was trapped in a frozen river for an hour.

Hardy, a nine-year-old black Labrador, fell through the ice into the bitterly cold water in Ashington, Northumberland while out for a walk with his owner last Wednesday as the UK was gripped by sub-zero temperatures.

A local rowing club near to the River Wansbeck raised the alarm after Hardy was unable to free himself.

Inspector Jaqui Miller from the animal rights charity was attached to a rope by a team of firefighters and moved over the frozen river using an ice pick.

She found the dog half-submerged in the glacial water with his paws clinging to the edge of the ice.

“We were really worried about poor Hardy as he had been stuck in the ice for about an hour in the freezing cold water,” Inspector Miller said.

“He had been out walking with his dog walker when he had run into the river not realising that the minus six degree weather we’ve had recently had frozen the water.

“His dog walker told us he’s so used to paddling in the river and the sea that he just bounded off hoping for a little swim.

“I made sure I was securely fastened to the rope and started across the ice.

“As I got closer to Hardy I could hear him whimpering and I kept calling back to him to try and reassure the poor dog.

“I managed to grab him by his scruff and help Hardy push himself up onto the ice. He must have been freezing because he didn’t hang around but scampered off towards his dog walker.”

Firefighters then pulled Ms Miller to safety.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the fire services, without their assistance I wouldn’t have been able to rescue poor Hardy. They were brilliant in putting a contingency rescue plan in place - and it paid off as we brought Hardy to safety!”

Hardy was “absolutely fine” except from a small cut on her paw, she added.

It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow warning of snow and ice for parts of the UK last week following heavy snowfall across the UK.

London also saw its largest snowfall for nearly five years.

The RSPCA said it advises owners to keep dogs away from frozen ponds, lakes or rivers which can pose a danger and make sure their paws do not get impacted with snow.

Inspector Miller added: “Owners should never try and risk rescuing their pet themselves as they could get themselves into a dangerous situation.

“As a trained water rescue officer with specialist equipment, I was able to make an assessment that it would be safe for me to reach Hardy.”