A cocker spaniel called Nell has been rescued unscathed after falling down an 80ft (24m) mineshaft.

The four-year-old went missing during her walk on Sunday and her owner, Peter Bell, spent two days searching for her.

She was discovered in Dyserth, Conwy, after he found out about the mineshafts and RSPCA officer Mark Roberts was lowered with ropes to rescue her.

Vets gave Nell the all clear and Mr Bell described his pet's return as "a miracle".

"We were so happy that Nell was rescued alive and well after such a dangerous fall," said Mr Roberts, who was at the scene with four other RSPCA officers.

He said bad weather had hampered the rescue.

"There was debris and barbed wire at the top of the mineshaft and after falling such a distance her owners were aware that she could have been seriously injured," he added.

When Nell was released however she ran around wagging her tail "clearly alive and well."

"It is truly remarkable that she escaped uninjured," Mr Roberts added.

Mr Bell said he was still in shock.

"It's hard to put into words how I feel," he added.

"When officers opened the bag and she ran out I couldn't believe it, it was a miracle."

He said vets had given her the all clear.

"Other than being a bit shaken and bruised she is back at home, happy and well," he said.

Source: BBC News