A SPANIEL trapped underground for three days at an Abingdon sports park has been given a starring role in a new BBC TV show.

Two years ago the pet pooch called Spencer wandered into an underground pipe at Tilsley Park and got stuck.

When he went missing it prompted a frantic search by his owners Kat and James Athey.

After Thames Water staff and contractors and firefighters were called in to help, the dog was located alive in the 30cm pipe beneath the AstroTurf football pitch off Dunmore Road and reunited with his relieved owners.

Now Spencer is to feature in a new BBC One series called Saved On Camera, which recalls the rescue effort in February 2018.

READ AGAIN: Walton Street protesters plan day of action at barricade

The spaniel was pulled out alive by Thames Water engineer Jason Major after the desperate search-and-rescue mission that attracted widespread national media coverage.

Mr Major was reunited with Mrs Athey and Spencer at the sports park as the BBC recorded scenes for the new series which starts on Monday, March 2, at 11.45am.

Oxford Mail:

The episode featuring Mr Major, Mrs Athey and Spencer will be broadcast on Monday, March 9.

Mr Major, a technical specialist based at Oxford Sewage Works, said: “It was great to meet Kat and Spencer again in much more relaxed circumstances.

“It was nice to see him wagging his tail and clearly enjoying life after his brush with death.

READ AGAIN: Fearless police officer stopped man hijacking ambulance

“Kat told me he’s a little bit older and wiser, and now steers clear of the pipe when they go for a walk through the park, which is great news for his health and mine!

“It was such a tense, nerve-wracking, few days trying to locate him and get him out.

“We didn’t know if he was dead or alive as he had gone quiet as he tried to conserve his energy, so it was such a relief to pull him out safe and sound and reunite him with Kat and the rest of his family.”

Oxford Mail:

The drama unfolded as Spencer disappeared into a private disused pipe next to a ditch alongside a new sports pitch during a walk.

Thames Water, along with contractors Lanes, Cappagh Browne and Oxfordshire firefighters were called in to spearhead the rescue mission.

READ MORE: Watch: Adorable penguins visit care home

Special cameras located Spencer alive beneath the AstroTurf pitch and heat generated by the light on the CCTV survey camera kept him warm while engineers hatched a rescue plan.

Abingdon School, which owns the site, gave permission for the team to dig up the pitch and cut a hole in the pipe to save the much-loved pet.

Oxford Mail:

Spencer was placed in a blanket and taken to the vets.

He was found to be dehydrated and placed on a fluid drip for a time and following treatment he was allowed to go home.

READ MORE: Private school teacher sentenced for child abuse images

Speaking at the time Mrs Athey said: “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, we’re so glad to have him back safe. Thank you to everyone.”

Oxford Mail:

Paul Edwards, a technical specialist for Lanes, said: “The owners were in tears, and there were grown men involved in the rescue who also shed some tears.

“It was a very emotional moment, and a great result.”