The spaniel was being taken for a walk by his owner

The workmen were unable to carry a winch cable across a 40-feet wide stretch of the River Nidd near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, until springer spaniel Joss arrived on the scene.

The 10-year-old trained gundog, who had been out for a walk with his owner, paddled across the deep river and picked up the cable.

He waited for the blow of a whistle from owner Trevor Green, 72, before swimming back with the cable clenched between his teeth.

It took a bit of canine courage to save the day Richard Chadwick site manager

Work to lay 130 metres of plastic pipe on the riverbed was then able to proceed as planned.

Retired engineer Mr Green rewarded Joss with a bag of dog food paid for by the workmen and said: "He's a trained gundog so he's used to swimming rivers.

"When he got to the other side he started looking for a pheasant and was a bit surprised there wasn't one to bring back."

Richard Chadwick, site manager for contractor Alfred McAlpine, said: "The chances of Joss arriving when he did are one in a million.

"Even with all the latest technology it took a bit of canine courage to save the day."