FIREFIGHTERS in Widnes and Runcorn have come to the rescue of a dog and a pigeon. 

Crews were called at 6.42am today, Sunday, to Upper Mersey Road in Widnes to rescue a dog which had fallen 30ft down an embankment.

A Cheshire Fire spokesman said: "The dog had gone into the canal and had become trapped in a lock while tangled in rope.

"The swift water rescue team located the dog and removed it safely from the water."

Crews were later called to Brook Street in Runcorn to rescue a pigeon which had become stuck in netting on a bridge. 

Firefighters used a 13.5m ladder to reach it before handing the bird over to the care of the RSPCA.