A dog has been saved following a search after it fell from a cliff near a North East beach.

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers sprang into action after receiving a report a Dogue de Bordeaux had fallen over cliffs near Ryhope Dene, Sunderland shortly before 7pm on Tuesday (July 4).

Working alongside officers from Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team, they located the dog on the beach unharmed despite a 60ft fall.

Read more: 40 sail trainees depart for Hartlepool's Tall Ships

The Northern Echo:

Coastguards were able to retrieve the dog after the tide dropped, allowing them to get to the dog on foot.

The RNLI  stood down and returned to the station once the Coastguard and dog were clear of the beach.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "Our RNLI crew worked alongside Officers from Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team to search the local area.

The Northern Echo:

"After about 20 minutes of searching the dog was located on the beach safe and well despite falling 60ft from the top of cliffs.

The Northern Echo:

Read next:

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device for just £4 for 4 months, here.

"Coastguards were able to wait a short time until the tide dropped to allow them to walk along the beach to where the dog was located.

"Once the dog and Coastguard Officers were clear of the beach our D Class was stood down and cleared to return to station.

"Amazingly the dog was unharmed despite falling 60ft from the top of cliffs".