A LOVEABLE, yet trying, terrier called Hamish brought excitement to Skipton's Aireville Park on Friday when he got himself firmly lodged in a rabbit hole for almost four hours.

And when he was freed the muddy mut wagged his short tail and strained at the leash to get back down.

The seven-year-old Lakeland-Border cross had chased the bunny into a warren near a large ash tree and required the help of local firefighters to extract him.

Ironically the rabbit nonchalantly bobbed out past him just as the firefighters began digging.

Owner Jean Christie, of Old Union Square, Skipton, said she had had Hamish for around 18 months and regularly walked him near the park. But he was always straining on the leash to pursue the rabbits.

"I was walking along the towpath by the canal when he just made off. I knew exactly where he was going because he had been down that hole before, but always came out almost straight away. I've never had to call the fire brigade out before," she explained.

This time, however, Hamish, who had originally come from a rescue centre in Kendal, thought his chances of getting his quarry were better and pushed his luck a bit further.

But within minutes his frenzied digging found him too far down the hole among the tree roots to get out.

The firefighters used spades and picks and even went down to Skipton Hire Centre to borrow a mini digger in case mechanical means were needed.

Fortunately they weren't and eventually, after almost digging himself into the hole, Leading Firefighter Dave Ogden managed to pull Hamish free.

"He was no worse for being stuck for several hours and didn't seem at all bothered once he was out," said Mr Ogden.

Mrs Christie told the men she was thrilled to have her wayward pet safe again. "I can't thank them enough for what they have done. They were marvellous," she said.

Hamish and his owner later showed their gratitude by bringing a box of biscuits down to the fire station.