Dramatic footage has been released of the rescue of a Labrador whose owner thought had died after it was swept out to sea.

The dog had been out walking with its owner when it went into the sea off Sea Palling on the north Norfolk coast in England, and was swept away by the tide.

The man searched with the help of two kayakers for his pet, but could not spot the animal and assumed it had been swept to its death.

After alerting the Coastguard following the incident on Sunday morning, the man returned to tell his wife the bad news.

However, RNLI crews took to the boats and started to search the reefs half a mile off the coast for the dog.

The crew finally heard barking coming from one of the reefs and there found the animal cold, wet and frightened, but otherwise unhurt.

They clambered over the rocks to coax the dog to safety before lifting her into the boat and wrapping her in a blanket.

Jake Munday, a member of the RNLI team, said "This was one lucky dog. We're just grateful to be in the right place at the right time".

The dog, who had recently had puppies, has been reunited with its owners.