Misty the dog rescued by lifeboat crew

A dog had to be rescued by a lifeboat crew after it swam out to sea and got into trouble.

Misty the Border Collie got into difficulty when she swam 100 metres out from shore at the Tide Mills area of Newhaven in East Sussex.

The dog's owner raised the alarm at 7.40pm last night and a crew from Newhaven Lifeboat Station was scrambled to help.

Paul Legendre, Mechanic Coxswain, told ITV News Meridian that he sailed the lifeboat alongside Misty before one of the crewman jumped into the water.

However, the dog - which was exhausted and in danger of drowning - bit the crewman on both hands and swam away.

Another crew member jumped and the team were then able to rescue Misty.

She was taken to a vet where she is now recovering from her ordeal.

Paul said: "We urge people to respect the water and to keep your dog on a lead at all times.

"It is fun for dogs to swim in the sea but the water can be dangerous."