Freedom bid for badger sett dog

Mr Walling says he has been in regular contact with Tyke

A dog trapped underground for six days could soon be freed after its owner was given permission to start digging.

Tyke, a Lakeland Terrier from Consett in County Durham went missing while being walked in the Castleside area.

He was finally traced to a badger sett, but owner Stephen Walling said he had to wait for permission from countryside wardens before disturbing the area.

Mr Walling said he had been back to check on Tyke, who he can still hear barking, every day.

Speaking on Tuesday he said: "The countryside warden put the blockers on it saying it was an old badger sett and we couldn't dig.

"We've been back, shouting and checking he was still there. We've just come away and he's still there now."