Search for dog after fears it fell from cliff in South Shields

The team was called along with the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade at 11.10pm on Thursday to Lizard Point in Marsden where they conducted a cliff top search for the dog.

They attempted to get onto the beach to continue looking for the animal, but decided it was unsafe to attempt a shoreline search.

The coastguard team said they may be able to continue looking to the dog today and informed the owners.

A Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team spokesman said: "We were called overnight along with our colleagues from South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, to a report that a dog had possibly gone over the cliff in the Marsden area.

"On our arrival and after meeting with the owners both teams relocated to the Lizard Point area and commenced a cliff top search.

"After nothing was seen from the top of the cliffs our officers made an attempt to get on to the beach, but even though the tide was on its way out, it was deemed to be unsafe to attempt any type of shoreline search.

"The owners were informed of our decision and were told to possibly look at first light.

"With nothing more that we could do, both teams were stood down."