Dog walker rescued from cliff trying to save pet

A coastguard team member climbed down the cliffs using ropes to rescue the dog walker

A dog walker was rescued from a cliff face after they attempted to save their pet.

Sunderland Coastguard and South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade were called to Marsden Grotto, South Shields, on Sunday night to help the owner who became stuck 4.5m (15ft) down the cliff.

Both the owner and their dog were rescued using ropes.

The coastguard said the situation could "easily have ended in a fatality" and warned people not to put themselves in danger near cliffs.

"We located the casualty 15 feet down the cliff face holding on," a spokesperson for the coastguard said.

"Both teams worked together to rapidly deploy rope rescue equipment and lower a rope rescue technician to the casualty and recover them to the cliff top."

One of the rescuers was lowered to the base of the cliff to recover the dog, who was injured.

The rescue operation took place at about 21:45 GMT.

The coastguard has urged people to keep their dogs on leads while walking near cliffs.