A LUCKY labrador fell 115ft from Old Harry Rocks and survived.

Dexter was being walked by owners Jonathan and Christine Dodd on the clifftop on Monday afternoon when he suddenly ran off the edge and plunged into the sea below.

Incredibly, the hardy hound not only survived but came through the ordeal without a scratch to show for it.

"It was just amazing he survived," said Mr Dodd, who was walking with his wife on their eighth wedding anniversary.

"A group of schoolchildren were making a fuss of him, then he just launched himself off the cliff.

"I couldn't even bring myself to look over the edge as I thought he was gone."

Dexter, though, had rolled off the uneven surface of the cliff as he fell and landed in the sea.

Although unharmed, there was no way of getting to him, so an inshore lifeboat from Swanage was called to pick him up.

Dexter needed no invitation once in sight of a friendly face and doggy-paddled out to the boat to be rescued.

He was sped to safety and reunited with his owners on Studland's South Beach.

Becky Mack, from Swanage's lifeboat crew, said: "It is a hefty drop for anyone to emerge okay from.

"Even the impact of the water can break bones, but some dogs are just incredibly lucky."

Mr Dodd said it was the first time they had taken Dexter, who was celebrating his one-year anniversary with the family, to the coast.

"We should have had him on a lead, but we've learned our lesson," said Mr Dodd, who lives with his wife and three sons in Hilton, near Blandford.

"He's a very sociable dog but usually he's alright."

Coastguards advised that dogs should always be kept on a lead when walking by clifftops.

  • The headline on this story was by Andy from Ringwood, who won the headline challenge on 2CR FM's Paul Bunker show on Thurdsday morning.