A MAN and his dog were rescued from a pond after falling through thin ice.

An operation was launched by police and crews after an emergency call at 4.10pm today (Tuesday) reported that the man had fallen into Hollow Pond, in Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone.

The man managed to pull himself and his pet to safety onto a small island in the middle of the pond before being rescued by a police marine unit.

The man and his dog were not injured.

Firefighters from the London Fire Brigade attended and were standing by in case assistance was needed. London ambulance were notified but were not required.

Witnesses have reported seeing many adults - some with young children and babies - walking across the ice after Hollow Pond froze yesterday following sub-zero temperatures and snow-fall.

Jeff Thompson, 53, of Woodford, saw two children, a man and two women playing on the ice unaware they could fall into the icy lake at any moment.

He said: "I was driving a bus to Brookfield House School to pick up the children when I saw these idiots on the ice.

"I stopped my bus and shouted at them to get off the ice because it could have broken.

"But they didn't seem to care.I got back into my bus and drove on. If I had seen a police car I would have flagged it over but there wasn't one to be seen."