A LUCKY dog was plucked from the cliffs near Ventnor by rescue crews, after tumbling more than 200 feet.

The Needles Coast Rescue Team was called to Watcombe Bay shortly before 6pm on Friday, by a frantic holidaymaker whose dog had disappeared over the cliff edge.

Along with the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat crew, rescuers scoured the cliffs and beach before spotting the dog — a black and white springer spaniel called Danny — on a small ledge just 20 feet from the shore.

A man was then lowered down the cliffs to bring Danny safely back to his grateful owner, a female tourist from Poole, Dorset.

"The dog had cuts and was quite shaken up, but was otherwise unharmed," said rescue team station manager Ray Morey.

"He was very lucky, especially as he had fallen from such a height.

"We would just like to warn people to be careful, and to keep their dogs on leads while walking along cliff paths. We do lose four of five dogs every year."

Source: iwcp.co.uk