A DOG had a 'lucky escape' after falling 10m into a river along a North Yorkshire tourist trail.

Meatball the Irish Wheaten Terrier got into difficulty upstream from Pecca Bridge along the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail on Boxing Day.

The dog 'scrabbled onto a sloping, slippery ledge' and help was requested.

The Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) was called out at around 1.30pm.

A CRO spokesman said Meatball was uninjured but was 'in a distressed state'.

"Once the location was confirmed, two members of CRO’s swift-water team went in the river, secured by other members on the bank," said the spokesman.

"They were able to rescue the dog and restore him to his owner, apparently unharmed."

The spokesman stressed Meatball 'had a lucky escape' but warned that 'other dogs haven't been so fortunate'.

"Unless your dog is stronger or heavier than you, it might be a good idea to keep him or her on a lead through the gorge sections of the trail," he said.

"If your dog does get into difficulty then please, don’t risk your own safety - call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue."