EMERGENCY services were called to Burnham Beach to help a dog owner who got caught in the sea while trying to rescue her dog.

Burnham Coastguard were called at 8.37pm on Tuesday (July 21) by the Coastguard Operations Centre to reports of a dog that had entered the water and was quite a way offshore with a very concerned owner trying to reach it.

The Coastguard's Inshore Lifeboat was sent to the scene to help the pair but as the team approached the beach they were told that the dog and its owner had returned to the shore safely.

"It is far better for everyone to be safe than need rescuing," a spokesperson for the Coastguard said.

"Our team continued on in the hope of catching up to the owner and the dog to give them a friendly welfare check to ensure they were ok but they had wandered off along the beach out of our view probably heading home after an evenings excitement and to dry off.

"In our experience dogs have their moment of fun but are rarely in difficulty and come back safe and sound.

"Please don't put yourself in unnecessary danger, immediately dial 999 and ask for the Coastguards, we are equipped and trained to deal with water rescues and we can also task local lifeboats to assist when needed. Stay safe out there."