FIREFIGHTERS had to rescue a dog walker who fell in the River Kennet this morning.

The woman in her sixties had been walking along the towpath with her pets when she slipped into the water close to the Burghfield Road bridge.

Fire crews with specialist water rescue equipment were called to the scene by another passing dog walker who spotted the struggling woman at around 9.40am today.

Upon arrival firefighters wearing specialist clothing jumped into the river and helped to pass her up and out to safety.

Ambulance crews checked her over for signs of hypothermia but the woman sustained no injuries during the ordeal.

Watch manager Jim Fernie of Dee Road fire station said: "From the river bank it was around three or four feet to the water and we could only just see her head because the water was so deep.

"She was up to her neck and the water was quite fast flowing after the rain we have had.

"A few guys jumped in to steady her in the water before we got her out."

Mr Fernie said the woman had spent around 20 minutes in the water and other being "a bit embarrassed" she was in a fine physical condition.