OSCAR - a giant 15 stone St Bernard dog - has been put on a strict diet by his owner after he jumped into a canal - and couldn't get out.

Firefighters were called and had to summon up all their strength to winch the enormous pooch - described as being as big as a lion - from the freezing Bridgewater Canal at Gorse Hill, Stretford..

Whopping Oscar, who stands at six feet on his hind legs and is fed on raw steaks and a kilo of food every day, decided to take a quick dip but was unable to lift his bulky frame out again because the banks were too steep.

Now his owner is planning to cut out rich food and meats in favour of a low fat regime to whip the two and a half-year-old dog into shape.

"He's a big softie but he's too fat now and he's going to have to shed some weight," said owner Lisa Olive, 33, of Leyburn Avenue, Stretford

"In the past he's eaten a coffee table, a shoe, plants and a Barbie doll - and that was when he was a puppy.

"He's just under 15 stone now but goodness knows what he weighed in at after falling in the canal. He was absolutely soaked.."

The drama began when Lisa's seven year old daughter, Ashleigh (pictured with Oscar) opened her front door to go out roller skating - and big Oscar bounded out with her and ran about half-a-mile to the Bridgewater Canal in Gorse Hill, where he made a giant splash. A couple walking along the towpath on Saturday evening dialled 999 and comforted the distressed animal until firefighters arrived with rescue equipment, a water raft - and ended up saving the day.

Firemen tied yards of rope around Oscar's enormous waist, shoulders and underneath his paws while two firemen, wearing special dry suits to keep out of the cold canal water, tried to lift him up from underneath his bum.

Sub Officer Rob White says: "He was like a lion and is easily the biggest dog I have ever seen. I don't know what his owner feeds him but it must cost a fortune."

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