DOG Titch is fortunate to be alive after falling out of a vehicle on the M62.

But her story has a happy ending because the spaniel - jack russell cross has been given a home by the man who came to her aid on the motorway.

Phil Crick, who lives in Hemingbrough, near Selby, was travelling westbound on the M62 between Goole and Whitley Bridge when he saw a small dog unrestrained in the back of pick-up truck that went past him at about 80mph.

Minutes later the traffic came to a standstill and the distressed dog was running on the motorway. Mr Crick caught it and took it to Holmefield Vets at Selby.

Vet Louise Davison said: “We cleaned her wounds and as she didn’t have a microchip Selby District Council Dog Wardens allowed her to be taken home by Phil and his wife, Lee. They told the couple that if nobody came forward within seven days to claim her they could keep her.”

Mrs Crick said: “When the seven days had passed and it was confirmed that we could keep Titch we had no hesitation."

"She was very timid, nervous and submissive at first but she is very obedient and she soon settled in with our bull mastiff, George. She’s a very loving dog and follows me around everywhere.”