A MAN who became trapped at the foot of a steep embankment at a North Yorkshire beauty spot after trying to rescue a sheepdog has been saved by firefighters.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service tweeted that the border collie called Shep had chased some ducks across a weir on the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey, near Skipton, yesterday evening when he got into difficulties.

"Without the incentive of ducks to make the return journey, Shep thought twice about braving the swift current," they tweeted.

"Crews led 'Shep' and his male rescuer to safety from the bottom of a 50 feet steep embankment by use of a rope pack."

A service spokesnan said today that the man, who is in his mid 30s, attempted to rescue Shep after the dog became stuck but had then became trapped himself.