A DOG that had to be rescued after becoming impaled on a metal fence was last night being nursed back to health.

The black and tan lurcher dog was trapped on the iron railings for more than an hour before it was freed by firefighters and a vet.

Police and RSPCA inspectors also assisted in the rescue operation outside Bishop Auckland Town Cemetery, in County Durham, yesterday morning.

Police were called to the scene, in South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, at about 6.30am and discovered the dog impaled on the fence.

It is thought he had attempted to leap over the fence but underestimated the jump and fell onto the metal railings, piercing his rear end.

Officers described the animal as "remarkably placid considering its predicament".

A fire and rescue crew from Bishop Auckland, RSPCA inspectors and a vet were called to help and were able to release him shortly before 8am.

He was then taken to The Wilson Veterinary Group in the town, where a surgeon treated him and described his condition as comfortable.

Staff were last night trying to contact his owners using a microchip identity tag.