An off-duty police officer jumped into an icy lake to save a dog's life.

PC Jake Pike was in the harvester restaurant in Potters Bar at around 3.30pm when he saw a dog run and fall into the icy lake in Oakmere Park.

While the fire brigade were en route, PC Pike took off his shoes and coat and got into the lake, scooping up the dog and bringing her safely to the bank,

The intervention officer in Hertsmere said: "I saw that the dog was in trouble and couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

"Instinct kicked in and I thought I was the best person to go in.

"The lake was absolutely freezing! My hands still feel like blocks of ice."

The officer was given chef's whites to change into by the pub and was checked over by the fire brigade after being in the lake for a couple of minutes.

He added: "I knew the lake really well, including the depth of it, and I weighted up the dangers of going in.

"But I would discourage anyone, especially young people, doing the same thing as it can be extremely dangerous."

Owners of the dog, called Heidi, called PC Pike their "hero" and were very grateful to him.