A DOG which ran into the water off Clevedon beach prompted a rescue operation on Saturday morning.

The Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat and members of the HM Coastguard were called out to rescue a dog which had chased a deer into the channel by Clevedon pier.

However, when the lifeboat crew found the dog it did not seem keen on being rescued. They managed to encourage it to swim toward the shore, where it promptly ran away. Eventually the dog was cornered and reunited with its owner.

Rescue crews were keen to rescue the dog as history has proved many pet owners or concerned members of the public will put themselves at risk to save an animal.

Using coastguards and lifeboats eliminates the risk of a potentially more serious incident occurring.