Man rescued after following his dog into river

A man and his dog were rescued from an icy cold river after the pooch became stranded and was followed by his owner into the water.

The RNLI was called to the scene at about 1.10pm on Monday after the Humber Coastguard spotted a man and his dog clinging to the harbour wall on the south side of the River Blyth.

Luckily, the man and his dog were only a few hundred metres from Southwold Lifeboat Station and the rescue team were quickly on the scene.

The crew immediately took the dog aboard and comforted it.

The man was then also pulled from the water and taken back to the lifeboat station where he was assessed and reunited with his beloved dog.

READ MORE: Two dogs saved near Walberswick after becoming stranded

Southwold Atlantic Helm, Sam Doy, said: "This was a good outcome, we were quickly on scene and the crew were able to get the casualty and his dog on board, however we would like to remind dog owners of the dangers of walking dogs in the harbour area."

The RNLI advises that owners should never take their dogs off the lead when near a cliff edge or dangerous water.