SUFFOLK fire service has issued a warning after a mother and son became trapped in mud while walking their dog.

Fire crews were called to rescue the mother, her seven-year-old son and their dog from a muddy bog near Whitland Close, behind Bourne Park at around 11.20am yesterday.

Water rescue teams from Princes Street and Bury St Edmunds and a rescue vehicle from Princes Street attended the incident.

Crews arrived to find the woman trapped in mud in a reed bed up to her thighs and the child up to his waist.

Fire crews worked with police and paramedics to rescue the trio, using inflatable mud paths to reach them and bring them to safety.

The pair got stuck when they attempted to rescue their dog, who had run away.

Geoff Pyke, group commander with Suffolk Fire and Rescue, said: “The main safety message would be to make sure that people are aware of where their dogs are and not to let them free run in places where there’s risk.

“If this had been ice it could have been worse – you hear stories of people breaking through ice and the dog gets out and the person dies.

“So if you’re in an area where it’s particularly muddy or there’s risk, then keep them on the lead.”

The woman and her son were assessed by paramedics but they were unhurt. The dog also was unharmed.