A SHAGGY dog story ended as a happy 'tail' after a springer spaniel was rescued by coastguards following a 30ft cliff fall.

Bev and Bryan Warne, of Roslyn Close, St Austell, the owners of Bramble, say they can't thank the coastguard enough for their efforts in saving their dog following its dramatic rescue last week.

Mrs Warne, 43, said: "Without the help of the coastguard I don't know what we would have done."

Drama

The ten-year-old dog was out walking with his owner Mr Warne and the family's other springer spaniel Buster along the Carlyon Bay cliff paths on Thursday when the drama unfolded.

During the walk both Buster and Bramble bounded off into the undergrowth but only Buster reappeared.

Mr Warne spent the next two and a half hours scouring the cliff path, even enlisting the help of the golf club's green-keeper Ian Norman to lend a hand with the cliff and beach search until they found a hole near where the dog had disappeared.

Despite the party's desperate calls, Bramble – who is trained not to bark as part of his role as a working dog – only let out a yelp when one of the group threw down a stone where they thought he had fallen.

Mr Warne said: "I dialled for the coastguard while we were at the scene and then took our other dog back to the house. By the time I got back the coastguard was already there."

Within 10 minutes more than 20 men from Charlestown and Mevagissey crews had arrived at the scene and within 45 minutes Bramble had been winched to safety unharmed by his 30ft cliff fall, wagging his tail at being reunited with his owners.

'Relief'

Mrs Warne, who arrived in the middle of the rescue, said: "You can't imagine the relief we felt when we knew they had the ability to get him out when we couldn't. We were so grateful to them, especially the effort they were putting in for a dog. You realise in circumstances like this that people can be very kind and the emergency services do a fantastic job."

"We'd like to thank the coastguard for giving up their time on a cold Thursday evening in October to give us a very happy ending," she said.

And as for Bramble? "He'll be staying close to home for a few days," added Mrs Warne.