A DOG is believed to have died after falling into the sea from cliffs at the Purbeck coast.

The coastguard was called just before midday reporting the pet dog had gone over the cliff at Ballard Point, near Swanage.

Coastguard rescue teams from St Albans and Swanage were sent, along with the Swanage inshore RNLI lifeboat.

The owners of the dog had reportedly spotted their pet in the water after the fall.

However, despite an extensive search, the dog was not found.

An RNLI spokesman said: " Swanage Coastguard were able to direct the lifeboat towards the dog’s last known position but the dog could no longer be seen.

"One of the lifeboat crew was landed ashore to carry out a shoreline search while the inshore lifeboat searched the immediate area.

"With nothing found the search area was increased and the coastguard volunteers walked the beach to check the shoreline.

"Sadly after two hours of searching the dog was nowhere to be seen so all units were stood down."