DOG owners have been warned never to try to rescue their pets which get into trouble on the coast.

It comes after someone scrambled down a cliff on the Jurassic Coast when their dog went over.

It happened just east of Golden Cap – the cliffs there are the highest point on the south coast.

Fortunately, the person and their dog were unharmed in the incident and were safe by the time coastguards arrived.

But it has prompted a warning from coastguards.

"A 999 call was received on Friday afternoon reporting that a dog had fallen 10 metres over the cliff just to the east of Golden Cap with the owner attempting to assist it back to the top," a spokesman for West Bay Coastguard said

"Officers from the West Bay and Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Teams were paged and started making their way to the stations. As officers were arriving to collect their equipment and vehicles, a further 999 call was received saying that the dog had made its way back to the top of the cliff, and both the dog and owner were now the correct side of the fence in a place of safety. Both rescue teams were then stood down."

The spokesman added: "The Coastguard recommends that you always keep your dog on a lead on the cliffs and coastal paths.

"Some dogs, especially smaller ones, can have difficulty seeing the cliff edge and if the worst happens…never ever attempt a self rescue as you could be putting your life needlessly at risk. Instead dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard who will send a specially trained and equipped cliff rescue team."