THREE children and their dog have been rescued from an island in the middle of a swollen river.

The group - two nine-year-old girls, a boy aged 11 and a golden retriever - became trapped on stones in the River Swale, between Richmond and Hipswell, North Yorkshire.

Fire crews from Richmond and Colburn were called about 2.30pm.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: The group had paddled out when it was quite shallow. The river then swelled and it was too deep for them to get back.

She said the water was waist deep.

Firefighters used swift river rescue equipment to reach the group and help them to safety.

The children were unhurt from their ordeal and did not need medical equipment.