Beer Coastguard were called out in the early hours of Saturday morning after the mastiff cross was reported to have gone over the cliff.

Beer Coastguard are celebrating a ‘happy ending’ after a family pet was found after going over the cliff near Branscombe.

A crew was called out shortly after 2.30am on Saturday morning to the coastpath at Berry Barton, Branscombe.

The 10 man crew carried out a search of the path to try to find Opie, the mastiff cross.

Terry Hoare, station manager for Beer Coastguard, said the team stood down at 6.30am as there was no barking or response to calls.

Terry said: “The owner after we had gone managed to cut his way through the undergrowth to get to the base of the cliff. Just as he was about to give up he heard a whimper and he [Opie] was caught in the bramble.

“It’s nice to have a happy ending.”