A pet dog narrowly escaped an icy fate – thanks to its husky ancestry and the bravery of Suffolk firefighters.

Mole, a female labrador/husky cross was on a walk with its owner Hermione Clarke in the countryside between Great Glemham and Framlingham this afternoon when it ventured onto an icy lake.

The ice broke and Mole plunged into the near-freezing water, which was around 4ft deep.

Hermione, 17, who lives in Laxfield and attends Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, said she started to “panic and look for things to throw in the water”.

She then called her brother and father who arrived with heavier objects to break the ice and rescue Mole - but none worked.

With options running out, the family called Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, which sent a crew from Saxmundham and two from Princes Street, Ipswich, including a specialist rescue team.

Station commander Russell Punchard said a specialist firefighter waded into the water tethered to the land and was able to rescue the dog.

“After this cold snap, it’s very dangerous in the water,” he added.

Firefighters told Hermione that without its husky genes, Mole was unlikely to have survived the cold for so long.

Hermione has praised the firefighters for being so helpful. She also advises other dog owners not to take their pet near to icy water without a lead. Mole was given a blanket to warm up and will be taken for a check-up at the vets.