A DOG which slipped down a cliff face on a sunny sea front walk was successfully rescued by fire crews.

Specialist rope rescue teams from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service combined to bring Harry, the Golden Retriever, to safety following his ordeal at Nose’s Point, Dawdon, near Seaham.

The alert was raised by the Coastguard, after the owner reported Harry having slipped his lead and fallen in scree down the cliff face, at 12.30pm on Saturday.

Coastguard teams attended, while rope rescue crews from Seaham Fire Station, joined by colleagues from Newton Aycliffe, worked in combination to successfully lower officers to reach Harry and bring him back to the cliff top to reunite him with his grateful owner, by 1.20pm

The fire service teams used their “working at height” kit to make their way two-thirds of the way down the cliff face, where Harry was in situ.

A passing RNLI lifeboat remained on scene off the coast in case safety cover was required from the sea side of the cliffs.

The Coastguard, which has teams from Seaham and Sunderland in presence, reminded dog owners to ensure their pets are kept on leads when walking along cliff tops.