DARING Deano the Jack Russell is doggone lucky to be alive after falling 20 feet from the roof of a March pub. It just goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks - because Deano, who is coming up to his 15th birthday, escaped with nothing more than

DARING Deano the Jack Russell is doggone lucky to be alive after falling 20 feet from the roof of a March pub.

It just goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks - because Deano, who is coming up to his 15th birthday, escaped with nothing more than some broken nails.

Regulars at The George in High Street have been sending their get well wishes to Deano who is the much-loved pet of landlady Dianne Blackwell.

The doggy drama happened when Deano's passionate hatred of pigeons got the better of him. Having spotted some nesting on the pub roof he decided enough was enough. Without pawsing for thought he scrambled from the flat roof up a gully onto the main roof to reach the chimney.

It was then that disaster struck, Deano slid down the roof and went over the side onto the road below. A passer-by saw Deano flying through the air and went rushing into the pub to alert Dianne.

She said: "He had landed on his side and when I saw him I just panicked. He is like a baby to me and he is such a character than everyone in the pub loves him.

"He was in shock and looked battered but the vet x-rayed him from top to toe and checked him thoroughly for internal bleeding. I couldn't believe that all he had was some broken nails."

After a three-day stay at the vets, Deano was well enough to return home and seems to have recovered well from his ordeal. With his bandages removed from his paws he is enjoying the extra fuss and attention from customers and staff.

Dianne said: "He is being very pampered and the chef is doing him fresh chicken every day.