A rescue attempt was launched at the Mere in Diss this morning after a dog was seen struggling in the stretch of water.

Despite council maintenance worker John Hanser going into the Mere to try and rescue the springer spaniel, the dog drowned.

The dog had been spotted by the fountain by another worker and then when it was nearer to the side of the Mere Mr Hanser went in to try and save it.

He said: 'I'm just upset. I love springer spaniels. I thought, if I can get him, I will. I know I shouldn't have tried, but I couldn't leave the poor things out there.

'You do these things, and I thought he was close enough to get, but he turned around and paddled off. It was so cold, I thought, I can't get to him, and sure enough he went under.'

Maintenance manager Robert Ludkin had received a report of a dog that had started swimming in the Mere and started struggling to get out.

He said: 'I contacted the police and fire brigade. But by the time I got there John was in the water.'

Deputy town council clerk Sarah Richards said: 'Unfortunately, we couldn't get to the dog in time.

'Our sympathies are obviously with the owner. This is a very rare incident, there are life-buoys around the Mere in the event that anyone did fall in.

'We're very relieved that John is safe, and despite encouraging him to get some rest, he was determined to complete his shift. '

Diss Town Council says the incident also brings home the importance of keeping dogs on leads in the park and around the Mere, not only for the safety of park users, but for also for pets