A dog had to be rescued from an icy lake by fire crews at Hicks Lodge activity centre near Ashby.

And one eye witness said the animal could have been killed but for the actions of the fire service - as it spent around 20 minutes in the cold water.

The labrador chased after a swan across the frozen surface, only for the ice to break and the animal fall in.

Three fire crews were called to the incident which happened last Thursday evening at the cycling and walking venue between Ashby, Moira and Donisthorpe.

But the firefighters were able to get the dog out of the freezing water and return it to its owner who then took it to the vet.

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service told Ashby Nub News: "The Hicks Lodge incident was cross-border with one crew from Swadlincote, one from Castle Donington and one from Southern.

"A call was received from a passer-by at approximately 17:10, saying a dog had chased a swan over a frozen lake, the ice broke and the dog had got stuck in the water.

:The dog was rescued by two water responders personnel from Swadlincote.

"A Technical Rescue and Water Rescue crew from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue were then stood down.

"The dog was in care of firefighters but the owner was in attendance and was going to take the dog to the vets."

Simon Dunn witnessed the incident and posted about it on the Donisthorpe Community News & Events Facebook page.

He wrote: "A Derbyshire Fire and Rescue crew have just completed the rescue of a chocolate Labrador.

"It had run out onto the ice at Hicks Lodge lake and fallen through.

"Twenty minutes in the icy water nearly killed the dog and required the crew to undertake an ice rescue that isn't without risk.

"Keep dogs on a lead near ice. You can't guarantee their normal recall behaviour will work."

Simon added: "We were taking our dogs for the walk and other people warned there was an incident in progress.

"I'd been aware of the problems of dogs on ice and they can get a bit excited in the snow. They can act more like puppies.

"Sensibly no-one went out on to the ice and the emergency services were called.

"Eventually the dog was rescued and was being warmed up with a blanket."