FIREFIGHTERS were called to Danson Park, Welling, yesterday (December 21, after a dog chasing birds fell through the ice on the lake.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was in the park with its owner, a boy aged around 12, when it ran off across the ice.

Witnesses said the dog managed to stay afloat by hanging onto a log until it could scramble onto an island in the middle of the lake.

Green Watch from Bexley fire station were called to the Danson Road park at around 12.30pm.

As local people walking their dogs watched, two water rescue technicians, firefighters Guy Hancock and Robert Harry navigated their way across to the island in the fire crew's inflatable boat, smashing the ice as they went.

Once on the island, the firefighters managed to grab the dog, which was in a very distressed state.

But it broke free and made its way back across the ice onto dry land, where it was wrapped in its owner's coat.

Crew manager Justin Hudson said the ice on the lake was quite thick in places.

He said firefighters had spoken to the boy who had confessed he had been tempted to go onto the ice to rescue the dog, but decided against it.

Mr Hudson said: "He made the right decision.

"And the first thing we did when we arrived, was to keep people clear of the lake.

He added: "Our message is it is difficult to control dogs sometimes and if owners are near a stretch of frozen water, they should keep their dogs on a lead.

"If your dog does get onto the ice, do not follow it under any circumstances."

One of the dogwalkers who watched the rescue said the fire crew had done a "wonderful job in great spirits" and added: "It was wonderful to see everyone doing so much towards a happy ending".