An elderly woman had to be rescued after she got trapped when she tried to coax her dog out of brambles.

Firefighters were called to a park behind Frognal Gardens in Teynham, near Sittingbourne, yesterday at about 3.30pm after people in their gardens heard the Bedlington terrier yelping.

When they went to investigate, they saw the dog's 90-year-old owner was also trapped.

After making sure the woman had blankets to keep her warm, firefighters were called to help get her out.

They used a ladder to slide her back over to safety.

Crew manager Mat Barney said: "She had been there for about an hour and a half before we got there.

"The dog had managed to get stuck up a bank made of brambles and it was quite steep.

"If it had been an hour later, people might not have seen her..." - Mat Barney

"It was distressed where it had got trapped, so the woman got on all fours and tried to coax it out when she also got stuck.

"If it had been an hour later, people might not have seen her."

He warned people to be careful when trying to rescue pets and to call for help when needed.

"We are a nation of animal lovers and we know it can be tempting to help when they are in distress," Mr Barney added.

"Owners should not put themselves in danger, the fire service will always send an officer where an animal has got stuck."

The woman was returned home by firefighters, with 12-year-old Tootsie, after making sure she had warmed up.

"She phoned the station later and thanked us for helping her," he added.

An eye-witness, who did not want to be named, said: "The fire engine was just parked almost next to the garages.

"I saw two or three firemen walking down to the end and working around the corner.

"I really didn't look very much after that."

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