A DOG named after Hollywood flick Bruce Almighty had to be rescued by the RSPCA from an island in the middle of a lake.

Unlike Jim Carrey’s divine character in the 2003 fantasy drama, the little pomeranian could not walk on water.

After chasing a squirrel onto the island at Pennington Flash Country Park in Leigh, the dog would not swim back through the cold water.

RSPCA animal welfare officer Steve Wickham and animal collection officer Gina Ratcliff rescued little Bruce Almighty.

Steve said: “When we got there we could see Bruce barking and shivering on this island.

“He had chased a squirrel onto there, bravely plunging into the cold water and swimming 20ft onto the island.

“But once he was there he didn’t want to go back into the water, which is understandable as it was very cold.

“I got into my wet gear and waded through the water, which was chest deep on me, towards Bruce, who was barking away.

“Thankfully he managed to stay still long enough for me to put a lead on him and bring him back to safety.

“He was very cold and shivering but we wrapped him up in a blanket and he seemed content that his ordeal was over.

“It made us laugh that he is called Bruce Almighty.

“Of course he can’t walk on water like Jim Carrey’s character could.”

Bruce was being walked by his owner’s dad Glen Wadeson when he started chasing the squirrel.

Glen said: “My wife Pat and I look after Bruce every day while our son Martin is at work.

“Bruce is very good off his lead and stays with us, but he saw this squirrel and went to chase it.

“The next thing I know he was on this little island.

“He must have thought that the green slime on top of the water was grass.

“He wouldn’t come back over as he was frightened.

“Bruce was such a good boy throughout the whole rescue.

“When we got him home we gave him a bath and he started running around ­– we call him ‘The Bullet’ as he runs around a lot.

“He is absolutely fine after his experience.”

If you see an animal which needs rescuing call the RSPCA’s 24-hour helpline on 0300 1234 999.